The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, emphasized the importance of strategic and accurate data in advancing health outcomes and enhancing the economic value chain. Speaking at a strategic retreat of the National Assembly Health Committees in Abuja, Pate highlighted the need for data-driven decision-making to efficiently allocate resources and implement effective interventions.
The two-day retreat, organized by the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Development Research and Projects Centre, the World Health Organisation, and other development partners, focused on setting a legislative health agenda to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and health institutions for universal health coverage and resilience.
Dr Chris Isokpunwu, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health, who represented Prof Ali Pate, emphasized that the ministry is the authoritative source for health data in the country. Quoting data from reliable and authenticated sources such as the Federal Ministry of Health is crucial to ensuring accurate information for decision-making. This data plays a pivotal role in strengthening governance, improving population health outcomes, and enhancing the economic value chain for health.
Dr Stanley Ukpai, Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), stated that the retreat provides an opportunity for legislators, especially those in the health committees, to familiarize themselves with the challenges and issues in the health sector. Ukpai highlighted the importance of continuity and building on the achievements of the previous administration to reduce maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and other health indices.
Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, reiterated the significant role played by the legislature in national development and policy implementation. He emphasized that the legislative network for universal health coverage would enhance collaboration and communication between the legislature, executives, ministries, departments, agencies, health institutions, and development partners. The objectives of the retreat include bridging knowledge gaps, improving interagency collaboration, and setting a collective legislative health agenda for the next four years.
Banigo also expressed confidence in the successful outcomes of the retreat, including improved budgetary allocation for health and the passage of legislation to drive health sector reform.
By recognizing the pivotal role of accurate data in healthcare planning and decision-making, this strategic retreat has set the stage for strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and achieving universal health coverage. With a collective legislative health agenda in place, collaboration and partnerships among key stakeholders will pave the way for improved healthcare delivery and economic growth.
