KEY POINTS

• Several states recorded the fastest progress on National Council on Health resolutions.

• Funding delays slowed state execution of National Council on Health resolutions.

• The ministry expects stronger implementation of National Council on Health resolutions over time.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria has identified Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory as the top performers in fulfilling the pledges established at the 2024 National Council on Health. The evaluation was presented in Calabar on Wednesday by Kamil Shoretire, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, during the delivery of the implementation status report at the 66th Council meeting.

States advancing national council on health resolutions

This year’s assembly, themed “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” convenes senior officials, regulators, technical experts, and development partners to assess advancements in national health priorities. The National Council on Health functions as the premier policy coordinating entity for the sector, tasked with formulating programs and harmonizing decisions among federal and state authorities.

According to punch, the ministry’s analysis indicated that Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Enugu, and Osun exhibited sluggish progress in implementing several decisions established at the previous year’s meeting. Shoretire observed that Sokoto topped the response rating, succeeded by Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, the FCT, and Plateau. Kebbi, he noted, is shown progress but continues to lag behind the leaders, with Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Enugu, and Osun.

The 65th Council, convened in Maiduguri in 2024, ratified 58 memos and decisions focused on enhancing the health workforce, promoting nutrition initiatives, augmenting primary healthcare delivery, and fortifying maternity and child health services.

Challenges slowing national Council on health resolutions

He urged nations to collaborate more closely with universities, research organizations, and policy institutions capable of transforming Council decisions into definitive actions that facilitate implementation. He also asked Health Commissioners and top officials to enhance lobbying in their states to ensure that the Council’s recommendations are comprehended, implemented, and allocated budgetary resources.

Shoretire indicated that numerous states experienced significant advancements in the sector throughout the previous year. Approximately one-third of the decisions made by the Council have been executed nationally, resulting in a national implementation rate of approximately 31 percent. He stated that the figure is anticipated to increase as the resolutions were not intended to be fulfilled within a single year.

He stated that the sluggish progress in certain states arises from a combination of difficulties. Subsequent to the approval of budgets, some complications arose that complicated immediate funding. He stated that numerous resolutions have not been disseminated sufficiently or supported by robust advocacy, and that inadequate financing has also impeded progress.

He stated that these factors combined influenced the disparate degrees of implementation observed around the country.