Health Commissioners from Nigeria’s 36 states have called for increased budget allocation for health at all levels of government.
They expressed commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care systems and supported the Federal Government’s workforce migration policy.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum and Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said: “Health financing was another key issue on our agenda, we are advocating for increased budget allocations for health at all levels of government.”
He praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and investing in healthcare. Filani highlighted the need for innovative strategies to attract, train, and retain skilled health workers.
The commissioners discussed the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Financial Autonomy and its implications for Primary Healthcare. They committed to strengthening PHCs and ensuring adequate staffing, training, and provision of essential medicines and equipment.
Filani announced the establishment of a sub-committee to develop a position paper on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for PHC financing. He commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s leadership and called for continued support to states.
The commissioners reviewed preparedness and response measures for recent outbreaks and agreed to hold monthly meetings with the NCDC Director-General. They expressed concern over rising non-communicable diseases and resolved to prioritize them in their state health agendas.
Filani pledged to work towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s efforts. He expressed support for the emerging digital health initiative and commended the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Minister of State for Health.
Filani reaffirmed the commissioners’ commitment to improving health outcomes and called on stakeholders to join hands in building a healthier nation.
