Cross River to host 66th National Council on Health meeting

The Coordinating Minister for Health, Professor Mohammed Pate, has announced that Cross River will host the forthcoming 66th National Council on Health meeting in 2024.

Professor Pate made this announcement in Maiduguri.

He noted that the 65th NCH meeting is a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of every Nigerian.

The minister also expressed concern about the incessant strike in the health sector, stating that it is not only demarketing the health sector but also a major stumbling block to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, approved a pay rise for medical doctors in the state civil service to match the one earned by those working with the federal government.

The governor directed the state head of service and the commissioner of health to liaise with the relevant federal government agency to bridge gaps in payment between medical doctors working for the state and those with the federal government. The pay rise is to take effect from December 1, 2024.

In his keynote address, Professor Pate stated that the power of collective effort in advancing the health of the population cannot be overemphasized.

He noted that since the unveiling of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the federal government has worked diligently with the states and partners to advance the health and well-being of Nigerians.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, also reiterated the commitment of the federal government to providing qualitative, accessible, affordable, and responsive healthcare services to all Nigerians.

The event was attended by heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health, the 36 commissioners of health across the country, UN health agencies, and development partners.