Following the outbreak of Mpox and Cholera, the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum (NHCF) has expressed commitment to putting measures that would help contain future outbreak of infections and diseases in their respective states..
This was contained in a communiqué signed by the Chairperson NHCF and Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State Dr Oyebanji Filani, the Secretary NHCF and Commissioner for Health, Kwara State Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, Issued at the end of the 3rd quarterly meeting of the NHCF organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at the weekend in Abuja.
The communique partly reads: “In light of the recent outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria and Mpox, the Commissioners reviewed the preparedness and response strategies of their respective states. The sterling leadership of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was commended with calls for the continued support to States.
“They reiterated their commitment to sustained preparedness, enhanced surveillance and response, including pre-positioning of drugs, supplies and rapid response teams to contain any future outbreaks effectively. Monthly meetings of all State Health Commissioners will henceforth be held with the Director General of the NCDC.”
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and his significant investment in the healthcare system, the commissioners said there was need for innovative strategies to attract, train and retain healthcare professionals inorder to address the critical shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the country.
On the Supreme Court judgment on Local Government financial autonomy and
strengthening of primary healthcare systems the commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) as the cornerstone of the Nigerian healthcare system.
“Emphasis was placed on ensuring adequate staffing, training, and the provision of essential medicines and equipment to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
“They considered the recent Supreme Court judgment on Local Government Financial Autonomy appraising implications for PHC Financing in Nigeria.
“A sub-committee was constituted to develop a position paper in consultation with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW). ”
Acknowledging the growing and alarming incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) especially hypertension, diabetes mellitus and renal diseases, the commissioners said there was an urgent need for increased awareness, prevention, and treatment options.
“A resolution was passed to prioritize NCDs in state health agenda and to develop comprehensive NCD prevention and control policies.
“A week-long NCDs awareness campaign, “Know your Number, Control your Number”, will be led by the Commissioners across all states in the last quarter of 2024.
“The meeting underscored the importance of sustainable health financing models to achieve UHC.
The Commissioners resolved to advocate for increased budgetary allocations
to health at both state and federal levels, across all three tiers (primary, secondary and
tertiary) and explore alternative funding mechanisms to ensure that all Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
“The Health Commissioners expressed their collective commitment to working together to improve the health outcomes of all Nigerians.
“They also called on all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to support these initiatives to build a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria,” the communique added.