Calls for increased medical care funding are growing stronger across Nigeria, as officials emphasise the need for more government Investment to enhance Primary Health Care systems nationwide. Health Commissioners from every state, alongside the Mandate Secretary of Health for the Federal Capital Territory, reaffirmed their dedication to this cause. They stressed that stimulating medical care Infrastructure is essential and expressed support for the Federal Government’s workforce migration policy, viewing it as a crucial step toward ensuring better access to quality care for all citizens.
During a two-day summit in Abuja, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, the Commissioner for Health in Ekiti State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum, revealed this information to reporters. He mentioned that maintaining adequate funding for medical services was a significant topic of discussion. Advocates are pushing for higher budget allocations to support medical care initiatives across various government levels. Filani commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the National Policy on Medical Workforce Migration and his solid contributions to improving the clinical industry.
Key talks centred on the court’s ruling on local govt financial autonomy.
Recognising the critical shortage of medical workers revealed in a recent New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) report, he emphasised the pressing need for new and creative approaches to drawing in, educating, and keeping talented individuals in the clinical industry throughout the region. Many discussions focused on the recent Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Financial Autonomy and its impact on primary medical care in the country. The commissioners emphasised their dedication to enhancing primary clinical centres as the cornerstone of the country’s medical care infrastructure.
He further emphasised the significance of maintaining sufficient personnel, conducting proper training, and supplying necessary medications and tools within local communities. The formation of a subcommittee to create a document outlining the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling on funding for primary medical care has been approved. As he mentioned, this paper will be prepared with the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The Commissioners examined their states’ readiness and response strategies following outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, and Mpox.
NCDC officials and state commissioners plan to hold monthly meetings.
Furthermore, he praised the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (NCDC) effective management, urging that states continue to receive ongoing support to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities. To strengthen coordination and readiness, it was agreed that State Commissioners and the Director-General of the NCDC would hold monthly meetings. He expressed concern over the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney problems, which are increasingly becoming a public wellness challenge in the country and require urgent attention and comprehensive strategies.
They announced their decision to focus on NCDs in the state’s medical agenda and pledged to introduce a wide-reaching awareness initiative called “Know your Number, Control your Number,” set to be launched in the final months of 2024. He committed to ensuring that the commissioners would focus on attaining Universal Medical Coverage and praised the FMoH&SW for its sector-wide Approach to medical care and its recent initiatives. The commissioner endorsed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s new digital clinical project, which seeks to transform medical care by utilising data to make informed decisions.
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Similarly, he praised Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, for their commendable efforts in advancing digital medical care initiatives. Filani stated these innovations’ critical role in improving access to quality medical services nationwide. He emphasised the unwavering commitment of the commissioners to enhancing clinical outcomes nationwide and called on all stakeholders, including the Private Sector and civil society, to collaborate closely in building a wellness, more prosperous. This collective effort, he noted, is essential for sustainable progress.