Health Commissioners’ Forum Vows To Ensure Effective Health Delivery Services In LGs

By Ayodele Oni

Health Commissioners from the 36 States of Nigeria and Secretary of Health of the Federal Capital Territory, have vowed to ensure that health related services do not suffer in local councils areas following Supreme Court judgement on autonomy.

The pledge was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the third quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum (NHCF) held in Abuja.

The communiqué, was signed by Oyebanji Filani, Chairperson and commissioner for Health, Ekiti State and Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, Secretary, and commissioner for Health, Kwara State.

The  Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, (PHC) as the cornerstone of the Nigerian healthcare system.

“Emphasis was placed on ensuring adequate staffing, training, and the provision of essential medicines and equipment to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.

“They considered the recent Supreme Court judgment on Local Government Financial Autonomy appraising implications for PHC Financing in Nigeria.

“A sub-committee was constituted to develop a position paper in consultation with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW).”

The Commissioners commended President President Bola Tinubu for approving the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and his significant investment in the healthcare system.

They recognized the critical shortage of skilled healthcare workers as highlighted in the HRH assessment commissioned by the NHCF, and thus the need for innovative strategies to attract, train and retain healthcare professionals across the country.

On the recent outbreak of cholera, diphtheria and Mpox, the commissioners reviewed the preparedness and response strategies of their respective states.

They commended the leadership of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) with calls for the continued support to States.

They reiterated their commitment to sustained preparedness, enhanced surveillance and response, including pre-positioning of drugs, supplies and rapid response teams to contain any future outbreaks effectively.