FG to unveil first-ever state of health reports

On Thursday, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revealed that the ministry plans to introduce the country’s first-ever state of health report.

During a press conference in Abuja, Pate explained that this report will deliver an in-depth analysis of the nation’s healthcare system and propose a strategy for its future development.

He noted that the upcoming Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in November will serve as the groundwork for this report.

“The Joint Annual Review is a significant event where we come together to evaluate our progress and highlight the extensive journey ahead in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system. We have engaged with state governments, health commissioners, and development partners through various working groups, analyzing data and utilizing tools like the People’s Perceptions Survey,” he stated.

“Last year, we initiated the agenda with a People’s Voices Survey that gathered insights from nearly 2,500 Nigerians to understand their views. The first focus of our agenda is to enhance governance and effectively address the concerns of Nigerians, in line with the President’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative. This year, we are conducting a Perception Survey across 36 states, interviewing over 2,600 Nigerians to gauge public sentiment about our healthcare system and assess our initiatives’ impact, which will be discussed next week at the Joint Annual Review. We also prioritize objective data tracking.”

Pate mentioned that they have compiled results from 23 Demographic and Health Surveys, creating a systematic baseline across various states and indicators to monitor progress over the next two years.

He highlighted that the report will also tackle issues related to maternal and child healthcare and reproductive health. “We’ve identified around 172 local governments that account for over half of maternal mortality. Our focus now is to target these areas effectively, using the best interventions available. We need to refine our operational plan developed by the states.”

“Our teams, alongside development partners and local governments, are committed to this effort. This will be the first annual state of health report, aiming to keep Nigerians informed. We will report back to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the National Council on Health, which plays a crucial role in health policy-making in our federal structure.”

Pate also announced that President Tinubu has approved the allocation of N10 billion for the Medical Relief Programme, aimed at supplying essential medications to those in need, particularly flood victims. “N5 billion has been allocated to both the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency,” he added.

Dr. Muntaqa Sadiq, the National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide approach, emphasized that this year’s Joint Annual Review will set the baseline for future objectives and priorities, ensuring that government resources are effectively utilized for maximum impact. He noted that these engagements aim to strengthen collaboration between state and federal entities to uphold the commitments made under the Nigeria Health Sector Investment Renewal Initiative.