By Iyemah David
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has presented a blueprint for building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 64th Session of the National Council on Health (NCH) on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Pate, emphasised the importance of effective governance, efficient and equitable health systems, unlocking value chains, and ensuring health security.
The NCH, an apex policymaking body in the Nigerian health sector, annually convenes leaders such as Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners of Health, Heads of Parastatals, and Directors to discuss health-related issues.
The theme for this year’s meeting is “Building a Resilient and Inclusive Healthcare System for a Healthy Nigeria.”
Experts say it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and underscores the significance of a robust healthcare system.
Pate highlighted the need for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
He emphasized that the blueprint outlines strategic shifts and priority initiatives to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve health outcomes in the country.
The Minister stressed the importance of effective governance in ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to healthcare needs.
He also emphasized the need for policies that prioritize health and well-being, as well as a regulatory framework to ensure quality standards and prevent corruption.
According to Pate, “Efficiency, equity, and quality were identified as pillars for achieving UHC.”
The minister emphasized the importance of effectively allocating healthcare resources, investing in preventative care and essential services, and embracing technology to streamline healthcare delivery.
Prof. Pate also highlighted the need to address quality across the continuum of healthcare.
He called for “Unlocking value chains in the healthcare sector through fostering innovation, collaboration, and coordination among healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology developers.
The Minister stressed the importance of financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and research and development in healthcare.
Given the recent COVID-19 pandemic, he underscored the significance of health security.
He emphasized the need to invest in strong healthcare systems capable of detecting, responding to, and preventing health threats in the country.
Additionally, he disclosed plans to redesign the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency in driving strategic shifts and priority initiatives.
The NCH is the Highest policy-making body on health issues in Nigeria.
