FG Unveils Strategic Blueprint for Improved Healthcare Services

The Federal Government has launched the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2024-2027, aiming to alleviate physical and financial burdens and enhance health outcomes for Nigerians.

The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, during the first National Quarterly Health Sector Performance Dialogue with state health commissioners in Abuja on Monday.

Professor Pate highlighted that scorecards from the six geopolitical zones revealed subpar performance in the South West, with less than 50 percent of deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants.

The minister also noted that the South West experienced low turnout for recommended antenatal visits, while the South-South zone reported inadequate immunization coverage for children in hard-to-reach communities.

Health commissioners from each of the six geopolitical zones provided updates on health outcomes in their respective areas. Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the Commissioner for Health in Rivers State representing the South-South zone, and Dr. Ikechukwu Obi, the Commissioner for Health in Enugu State representing the South-East zone, acknowledged improvements in skilled births but identified ongoing challenges with child immunization.

Similarly, Zainab Ahmed, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health and representative of the North-West zone, and Toyin Coker, the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State representing the South-West zone, reported a decline in the number of skilled birth attendants.

The Ministry emphasized that the use of district health information software would enhance data collection from health facilities and guide progress.

The event was attended by several state health commissioners, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Agency, and directors from the Ministry of Health.