Posted on: Thu 30-11-2023

 The 64" regular session of the National Council on Health (NCH) Meeting was held at AB Foundation Civic Centre, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State from 13th - 17th November 2023. As provided for in the National Health Act (2014), the NCH is the highest policy-making body on matters relating to health in Nigeria. The membership comprises the Honourable Minister of Health who is the Chairman of the Council, the Honourable Minister of State for Health, State Commissioners for Health of the 36 States, and the Honourable Secretary of Health Services & Environment Secretariat, FCTA. The 64" NCH was chaired by the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

2. The theme of the 64"NCH was; "BUILDING A RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR A HEALTHY NIGERIA" with the following sub-themes: 'Strengthening Healthcare Access and Institutional Governance as a Panacea for Attainment of Universal Health Coverage; Building a Skilled and Motivated Workforce; Harnessing Evidence-Based Research and Development for Better Health; Innovative Financing for a 21st Century Healthcare Agenda; Digital Transformation and Health Information System.

3. A total of 995 delegates registered and participated from the Departments. Agencies and Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, State Ministries of Health and the Health Services & Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja and the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors Forum. Others in attendance were representatives of the State Houses of Assembly and National Population Commission. There were also delegates from Development Partners, Civil society Organizations, Organized Private Sector, Health Professional Regulatory Bodies, Health Professional Associations and the Press.

4. The 64" NCH was preceded by a two-day Technical Session from 13" — 14"November 2023 under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom S., mni. During the technical session, there were seven (7) technical presentations on the theme and sub-themes while Eighty-Two (82) memoranda were considered. Following consideration of the 82 memoranda, the Technical Committee recommended 18 memoranda to Council for approval; 43 memoranda were recommended to Council for noting, while 21 memoranda were recommended to be stepped down/withdrawn.

5. The council session held from 16" -17" November 2023 under the chairmanship of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate. Members of the Council include Honourable Commissioners of Health of the 36 States of the Federation and FCT. The 64" NCH was declared open by the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

RESOLUTIONS 

6. Following extensive deliberations, the Council considered a total of 82 memoranda as presented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMoH&SW), 16 memos were approved, 43 memos were noted, and 23 memos were stepped down/withdrawn by Council.

7.  The Federal Ministry of Health and her related Agencies and Parastatals are to work with the State Ministries of Health to:

i. Consider opportunities to secure bilateral relationships with Nigerian migrant health workforce destination countries to consolidate agreements o remittances and knowledge transfer as well as targeted development assistance specifically to support scale-up of production.

ii. Institutionalize the Nigerian Diaspora Health Knowledge and Skills Repatriation program as a way to convert "Brain Drain to Brain Gain" both at the Federal and State levels, and to include the programme in the revised National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) II and also the development of a National Health workforce production investment master plan and Charter to leverage synergized and aligned public-private investment in sustainable national health workforce production.

iii. Make plans to leverage technology assisted education and training modalities, along with established online curricula in collaboration with health training institutions.

iv.  Adopt and ensure the implementation of Maternal. Infant and Young Child Nutrition Training Courses at both the State and LGA levels.

v. Conduct Impact Assessment of National Council on Health Resolutions in all 36 States and FCT Abuja every 5 years. The modalities and methodology for the conduct of the assessment to be developed and coordinated by NCH secretariat.

vi. Adopt and ensure compliance for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in line with the national PPP guidelines/regulation and establish PPP Units/ Departments in all State Ministries of Health, Agencies, and Parastatals of Federal Ministry as a tool to bridge infrastructural gaps across all levels of the health sector in the country. Also create budget lines in the Federal and State Ministries of Health annual budgets while also seeking funding for the program from extra budgetary portfolios such as Public, Private, Philanthropic partnerships.

vii. Adopt the implementation of the NCD policy towards effective prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the 36 States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria.

viii. Adopt and implement the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT.

ix. Adopt and implement the National Training Manuals on Snakebite Envenoming Control, Prevention, Treatment and Management in Nigeria by the 36 States of the Federation and FCT. Also to include local manufacturing of Anti-snake venom and integrate snakebite Envenoming into preservice training curriculum.

x. Commemorate the Health Promotion Day in Niger a to promote preventive healthcare and raise awareness about healthy lifestyles among the populace which includes collaboration with relevant stakeholders, advocate for policy changes, allocate resources and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms at all levels.

xi. Support the domestication and implementation of the Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) Governance Manual.

xii. Adopt and implement 3rd edition of Nigeria Standard Treatment Guidelines (NSTG) as a minimum standard for treatment and knowledge base for training and education of all health care professionals and providers in the country.

xiii. Adopt, disseminate and implement the report of the 2021 National Health Account study for decision-making in our National Health System.

xiv. Secure a dedicated account for medical oxygen investment which shall be managed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and develop and implement a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for the management of these equipment.

xv. Establish Budget Lines for Family Planning at both National and Sub-National levels for the implementation of Nigeria's Family Planning programme.

xvi.  Adopt and implement the sector-Wide approach policy for Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal and commit to co creation by the 36 States, FCT. and other stakeholders as outlined.

xvii. Adopt and implement the National Drug Revolving Fund Scheme Operational Guidelines and Standards of Practice, and its utilization by all health care facilities in Nigeria.

CONCLUSION

8. The final session of the council was held at Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, (ABUAD). Before adjournment, the Council elected Borno State as the host for the 65th NCH in 2024

8. Following a motion for adjournment, the National Council on Health (NCH, Ado Ekiti 2023) meeting was adjourned on 17th November, 2023 at about 1:25pm.

Signed:

Prof. Muhammad All Pate

Coordinating Minister

Chairman of Council

Daju Kachollem, S. mni

Permanent Secretary

Secretary of Council

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