FEC Holds Valedictory Session, Receives Report On Health Sector Reform

By Ayodele Oni

The last Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting to be presided over by President Mohammadu Buhari was held on Wednesday.

The valedictory session also received the report of the Presidential health Committee, headed by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbano.

The Presidential Health Reform Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2021 was for the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform programme for Nigeria.

Presenting the report, Osinbajo said that the committee proposed, among others, healthcare guarantees for all Nigerians registered on the National Social Register.

“We also took extensive proposals from the committee members and the organisations they represent, including the National Assembly, state Governors, unions in the health sector and the private sector.

“This was followed by a retreat to brainstorm on several policy options, which arose from the submissions.

“Finally, we held meetings in technical sub-committees and in plenary to streamline the contentious issues and agree on a consensus position with the assistance of consultants, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who were engaged to support the committee.’’

The Vice President said the committee’s deliberations had been productive and afforded it the opportunity to set Nigeria on the path to Universal Health Coverage.

According to him, the committee is mindful that investing in health will enable the country to unlock its immense potential and ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their social status can access quality health services.

Osinbajo further said: “However, we realize that this will require structural reforms, hence the intentional effort to cover the poor and ensure the mobilization of large amounts of private investments.

“One of the first insights that confronted the committee was how the structure of our federation unwittingly contributes to poor health outcomes.

“The report addresses this in three ways–first is the use of the National Accountability Agreement on health performance.”