Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate (Right) at the inaugural National Health Sector Performance Dialogue for Healthcare Reform
By Comfort Olayinka
Eko Hot Blog reports that Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to collaborating with state and local authorities to address the data gap in the sector.
He spoke on Monday at the inaugural National Health Sector Performance Dialogue for Healthcare Reform.
Pate emphasized the importance of data in improving healthcare outcomes and reiterated the government’s dedication to enhancing the sector.
The health minister emphasized that sustained efforts will lead to significant improvements in maternal and child health, particularly in immunization rates, reducing the number of zero-dose occurrences.
He made this declaration while assessing performance scorecards across the six geopolitical zones at the dialogue in Abuja.
Pate highlighted that the federal government has been working closely with states, which are integral components of the National Health System, and emphasized that local governments are also essential partners by law.
The collaboration aims to strengthen the healthcare system and improve overall health outcomes in Nigeria.
By addressing the data gap and working together, the government hopes to make significant strides in improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate (Right) at the inaugural National Health Sector Performance Dialogue for Healthcare Reform
The National Health Sector Performance Dialogue is a crucial step in this direction, fostering collaboration and driving progress in the healthcare sector.
“In today’s session, scorecards were presented by each of the six geopolitical zones and for all 36 states, revealing areas of improvement,” the health minister added.
“Despite data quality shortcomings, the utilization of metrics to evaluate our performance marks a significant starting point.
“We firmly believe that by maintaining this approach, we will witness enhancements in maternal and child health, particularly in immunization to reduce zero dose occurrences.
“We engaged with commissioners on the implications of the supreme court ruling on local government autonomy, emphasizing an evolutionary process. Prior to 2011, Nigeria’s healthcare system was fragmented.
“The policy on primary health care under one roof, as approved by the Council on Health, catalyzed the establishment of state primary healthcare agencies and state health insurance agencies.
“The National Health Act of 2014 introduced the basic healthcare provision fund, which will transition into a sector-wide program in 2023 through a compact signed with the states.”
“All these measures underscore that the involvement in the National Health System extends beyond the federal government to encompass states as crucial entities, with local governments also playing a mandated role.
“We operate within a framework of cooperative federalism, where collective efforts are paramount, supported by development partners who have mobilized grant resources to incentivize state contributions.
“This framework necessitates local governments to elevate their performance standards, fostering accountability among states and localities, enabling Nigerians to discern which entities are fulfilling their obligations.”
“Our unwavering commitment is to ensure the continual improvement of the health of mothers, children, and the most vulnerable in society.
“Whether addressing malaria treatment, maternal health, or immunization, these priorities align with the President’s agenda for renewed hope.”
Commissioners from various zones highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in generating and processing data, emphasizing the need for attention to create a data-driven health sector.
Dr. Tomi Coker, the Health Commissioner for Ogun State, representing the South West region, specifically pointed out the inadequacy of data managers employed in state health facilities for data collection.
She stressed the importance of innovation and workforce revitalization to address this issue effectively.
The commissioners’ observations expressed the need for investments in data infrastructure, capacity building, and workforce development to strengthen the health sector’s data management capabilities and inform decision-making with reliable data.
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