By Ndidi Chukwu
The Minister of Health Dr. Khaliru Alhassan has inaugurated a Technical Working Group, to see to the operationalization of the National Health Act. Alhassan inaugurated the group during the Special National Council on Health last week which had in attendance some health commissioners from the 36 States of the Federation. The TWG, which comprises of some Directors of the Federal Ministry of Health, Directors of all Health Agencies and commissions, will be chaired by the Health Minister.
The TWG is expected to:
1. Provide overall support to the Federal Ministry of Health in implementing the National Health Act in Nigeria in line with the National Health Policy and National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP)
2. Develop National Health Act Implementation guideline/manual which include a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation/Performance Framework.
3. Develop a detailed media and advocacy plan/tool kits to ensure widespread support for implementation of the National Health Act.
4. Plan Advisory role to the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant parastatals/Agencies (NHIS, NPHCDA, NBTS, NIMR, and NIPRD) along the continuum of implementation of the National Health Act.
5. Carry out other functions related to the implementation of the National Health Act as may be directed by the Honorable Minister of Health.
Among those listed in the Technical Working Group (TWG) as contained in a list made available to Health Reporters are:
1. NHIS
2. NPHCDA
3. NBTS
4. WHO
5. World Bank
6. HSRC
7. USAID
8. NAFDAC
9. NIPRD
10. NIMR
Also in the list are partners:
1. Central Bank of Nigeria
2. Bank of Industry
3. Gates Foundation
4. Chairman Health Regulatory Group
5. Chairman of Chief Medical Directors
6. Budget Office of Nigeria
7. Federal Ministry of Finance
8. National Planning Commission
9. HERFON
10. KPMG
11. NMA
12. NANNAM
13. PSN
14. National Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.
16. Save the Children
17. James Daniel Consulting
18. Medical Ethics and Law
19. Health Ethics and Law Consulting
21. News Agency of Nigeria
22. Nigeria Television Authority
23. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
