Buhari Raises Hope On Nigeria’s Health Sector Reform

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Tuesday, September 7th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Things are looking up for the health sector of the Nigerian economy as President Muhammadu Buhari has successfully constituted a Health Sector Reform Committee to review all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades.

The committee which is chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will commence the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform programme for Nigeria in collaboration with the State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration.

The committee will draw lessons learnt from the previous reforms implemented in the last two decades and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme for the country.

This is sequel to a Health Sector Diagnostic Review Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health. Moreover, Vesta Healthcare Partners and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are to serve as resource persons and have observer roles in the committee.

The committee which is set up for a period of six months, has members drawn from private and public sector health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly as well as the Nigeria Governors Forum among others.

Among them are; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Minister of Health, Dr, Osagie Ehanire, Director General of BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London and Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health, Director General of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, Mr Babatunde Irukera, Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Dr. Adedamola Dada; Dr. Sani Aliyu, Dr. Mairo Mandara, Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga, Professor Uche Amazigbo, Director Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Prof Nasiru Sambo, Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, Dr Gambo Aliyu.

Others in the committee are: Dr Betta Edu (Chairman, Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum representing National Council on Health), President Nigeria Medical Association, President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, President National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives, President Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Mrs Temi Marcella Awogboro, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq, Dr. Azubike Tagbo and World Health Organization, Nigeria.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The President has named him as a member of this important committee.