THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on key players in the health sector to conduct a quarterly review of the state health system towards improving health outcomes in the country.
The Officer in-Chief of WHO in Nigeria, Dr Clement Peter, made the appeal at the opening of the 62nd National Council of Health meeting on Thursday in Asaba.
The meeting has its theme as: “Consolidating the journey towards achieving Universal Health Coverage” (UHC).
The theme of the event coincides with the UN High-level meeting of UHC; a testimony that a healthcare population means posterity.
Peter said the result of healthcare could not be achieved at the federal level alone until states and local governments are fully engaged in the planning, monitoring and implementation of all the processes.
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The official also called for strengthening the accountability framework to better monitoring on the fund for optimal health delivery.
He, however, reminded the state commissioners for health and other players that effective and quality healthcare requires long term investment in terms of human capital development.
He added that UHC coverage means that every citizen of the country should be able to access quality and affordable health services without suffering financial hardship.
“How can this meeting translate this into action when we have a high number of people below the poverty line?’’ he queried.
Peter noted that UHC required a paradigm shift; a shift that addresses all processes in ensuring that health programmes are package in a way that it will help all in the country.
He lamented that resources were inadequate towards achieving universal health coverage in the country; he, therefore, reaffirmed the commitment of the organisation in ensuring that no one was left behind.
The WHO official also urged the participants to come up with concrete actions at ensuring better health outcomes in the country.
Similarly, Dr Dorothy Ochogha, the acting Chief of Health and HIV, UNICEF Nigeria, called on the state commissioners of health to support the revitalisation agenda of the federal government.
He noted that the revitalisation of the primary healthcare system would drive UHC and improve the quality of the healthcare system in Nigeria.
Ochagha restates the commitment of the organisation to sustain partnership and collaboration for good healthcare delivery.
In his welcome address, the Delta Commissioner for Health, Dr Morgie Ononye, said the state was ready for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to scale up healthcare delivery system in the state.
“We are ready for PPP on diagnostic services staff training, health ICT, medical equipment supply and medical waste management, among others,’’ Ononye said.
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