Governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate, have jointly called for urgent action to address the alarming rates of neonatal mortality and malnutrition in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the governors at the ongoing three-day Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja, Governor Hope Uzodinma emphasised that while improvements have been noted, the rates of infant and under-five mortality remain alarmingly high.
“Despite progress in health indicators, particularly in lowering under-five and infant mortality rates, the figures remain unacceptably high,” Uzodinma noted, emphasizing the need to improve health outcomes for all Nigerians.
He urged states to address their unique challenges while maintaining a shared goal of improving health outcomes for Nigerians.
Governor Uzodinma commended the Minister of Health for his dedication to implementing health sector reforms and recognized the collaborative efforts of all 36 states in aligning with sector-wide goals.
He reaffirmed the NGF’s commitment to the health sector compact and its goal of improving the health sector.
In his address, Dr. Muhammad Pate echoed the call for urgent action, urging Nigerians to hold government officials accountable for delivering quality healthcare services. He outlined the country’s achievements in health sector reforms and ongoing efforts to improve population health.
With President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement, he noted that the Ministry was publishing annual and state health reports for the first time, showcasing transparency and measurable progress.
Dr. Pate reported that Nigeria is on track to surpass its healthcare targets, with 31 out of 41 key performance indicators achieved by the third quarter of 2024.
The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen the health workforce, particularly through the retraining of healthcare workers.
“The government has disbursed over 45 billion naira to strengthen more than 8,000 primary healthcare facilities,” he added.
He also acknowledged the challenges posed by child immunization and malnutrition, emphasizing the need for intensified efforts to address these issues.
Dr. Pate commended states like Imo for their progress in improving contraceptive use, health insurance coverage, and maternal health outcomes. He also highlighted the positive impact of President Tinubu’s Executive Order on stimulating local healthcare manufacturing.
The Minister further called for continued collaboration between government bodies, development partners, and citizens to drive health system improvements.
He stressed the need for accountability, increased domestic funding, and strengthened partnerships in achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes.