FG, States Resolve to Strengthen Health Financing, Deploy More Health Workers, Improve Accountability

By Fatima Saka

The Federal Government of Nigeria and state governments have resolved to strengthen domestic health financing, improve the distribution and retention of health workers, and enforce accountability in the management of health resources as part of renewed efforts to accelerate healthcare reforms across the country.

The resolutions were contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the 2026 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR), held from November 10 to 12 at the Transcorp Event Centre, Abuja.

The three-day review, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with its agencies and health sector stakeholders, was held under the theme, “Together to Higher Ground: Make Reform Data Count.”

The communiqué, read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, outlined priority actions aimed at addressing persistent gaps in healthcare delivery, financing, workforce availability and accountability as Nigeria enters the final year of implementing its Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027).

On health financing, stakeholders called for increased budgetary allocations to the sector, timely release and utilisation of appropriated funds, enhanced Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) contributions and the implementation of pro-health taxation policies to ensure sustainable funding.

They also resolved to strengthen public financial management through improved compliance with BHCPF transfer timelines, expanded digital expenditure tracking and stronger links between health spending and measurable service delivery outcomes.

Addressing the persistent shortage of healthcare professionals, the stakeholders agreed to operationalise the National Human Resources for Health Programme, including establishing a dedicated programme management structure, developing implementation work plans and introducing state-level retention strategies.

They further called for targeted incentives to encourage the deployment and retention of health workers in rural and underserved communities, alongside stronger collaboration with professional bodies to address workforce shortages and competency gaps.

On primary healthcare, the review resolved to accelerate the certification of facilities, beginning with those designated as Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC)-ready, using standardised requirements covering staffing, medicines, equipment, water supply, electricity, security and functionality.

Stakeholders also agreed to expand BHCPF-supported interventions in high-burden local government areas identified through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII), with implementation guided by reliable data and state and local priorities.

The communiqué further called for the establishment of DHIS2 as the single national platform for health data aggregation and reporting, alongside improved data quality, timeliness, interoperability and harmonisation across states.

On emergency medical services, participants resolved to establish a unified reimbursement mechanism for emergency care, expand emergency transportation systems, accelerate the passage of the National Emergency Medical Treatment System Bill and strengthen public-private partnerships in emergency healthcare delivery.

They also urged the institutionalisation of community-led monitoring, referral systems and emergency transportation mechanisms, with the initiatives integrated into state primary healthcare plans and budgets.

In the area of local pharmaceutical manufacturing, stakeholders called for stronger support for shared industrial infrastructure, improved investment readiness and better coordination among relevant ministries and agencies responsible for developing Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

They also resolved to support the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to attain the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 4 status by 2027, while strengthening surveillance and regulatory enforcement against substandard and falsified medicines.

The review acknowledged progress in health sector reforms, particularly improvements in primary healthcare functionality, reductions in facility-based maternal mortality, gains in maternal, newborn and family planning indicators, and the expansion of emergency medical transportation services nationwide.

Participants also recognised increased investments through the BHCPF, improved health insurance coverage and the contributions of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), particularly the commencement of local production of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs).

On maternal and child health, findings from the 2026 Mini Demographic and Health Survey indicated improvements in several indicators, including skilled antenatal care attendance and skilled birth attendance.

The review also acknowledged the contributions of free Caesarean Section services and other maternal health interventions supported through national health insurance mechanisms.

Despite the progress, stakeholders identified persistent challenges in health workforce distribution, non-communicable disease prevention and management, quality of care, regulation of healthcare facilities, domestic resource mobilisation and public financial management.

The communiqué noted that the 2026 review assessed the third year of implementation of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, drawing evidence from the 2026 JAR Statistical Book, Mini-DHS, DHIS2-FASTR analyses, People’s Voices Survey and technical presentations on service delivery, maternal and newborn health, health financing and health system strengthening.

The review was attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; members of the National Assembly; Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom; heads of agencies and parastatals; state commissioners for health; development partners; civil society organisations; professional associations; private sector representatives and other stakeholders.

Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the Health Sector Compact and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, stressing the need for measurable and time-bound actions.

They also called for stronger state and community ownership of ongoing reforms through peer-learning mechanisms, inter-state collaboration and active engagement of traditional, religious and community leaders.

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The communiqué concluded that the success of the reforms must ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in access to quality healthcare, particularly for women, children and vulnerable populations across Nigeria.

It was signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom mni; Chairman of the Honourable Commissioners for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani; and the Representative of the Health Development Partners Group, Dr. Pavel Ursu.