COORDINATING HEALTH MINISTER, COMMISSIONERS MEET .... As Pate Says FG is Committed To Improving The Health Sector

Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate

"The annual council is to ensure that basic healthcare services are delivered to the citizens in need of medical services as well as formulating policies to promote and improve lives." Prof Pate.

The Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH & SW), Professor Ali Pate has convened an inaugural meeting with State Health Commissioners, saying that there is need to intensify efforts to make meaningful progress towards achieving appreciable Healthcare standards for Nigerians.

Addressing the meeting held recently at the Ministry at Abuja, the Minister recalled that National Health Council (NCH) held annually is the apex policy making body in the Nigerian Health Sector, bringing together critical stakeholders and players in the Health Industry to discuss ways of improving the sector. 

He stated that the annual council is to ensure that basic healthcare services are delivered to the citizens in need of medical services as well as formulating policies to promote and improve lives.

According to him, “I will like to say that we have laid down our (4) pillars and we will discuss at the forth coming National Council on Health in terms of direction, the governing pillar of health is what we are trying to do, reviving the National Council on Health, working with the public and private sector, development partners, using good data and advancing the cost of health, that is what it will take to change the direction. We are focused on results therefore we will work collectively, the outcome is what matters to Nigerians.”

He urged the Commissioners and Stakeholders to establish value chains in the area of communication and engagement to ensure health security noting that meeting with the Commissioners will be held quarterly.

Pate noted that Health workers should be agents of change to bring about zero base child mortality, saying that “I look forward to engaging my brother Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Federal Ministry and our agencies to work with you as part of the leadership team that will change the trajectory health need of our country Nigeria.”

He maintained that there must be an alignment to a vision to improve health outcomes and to strengthen the Institution while involving UNICEF, WHO,USAID, Global Fund,GAVI, EU and all key actors that will help in the growth and expansion of pool of resources for the sector. 

He informed that the Ministry will train and retrain health staff in the frontline across the states adding that “we will Mobilize additional resources for the state as this will enable us make quick wins in healthcare programmes.”

The Minister, in a statement issued and signed by Deworitshe Patricia, Director  Press (FMOH & SW) charged the Commissioners to continue to work strategically with the Federal establishments to address emerging and re-emerging health challenges. 

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum, Dr. Oyebanji Filani said that Commissioners are mindful of their roles in the state and are working assiduously with other  stakeholders to improve the status of the healthcare system as well as lives in Nigeria, acknowledging the efforts of NCH for the availability of funds and resources for operational needs.

He assured of their support and commitment to the Ministry to make a difference and deliver on set goals in the state based on directives and availability of funds.