The Federal Government has called for collective action to address healthcare challenges, especially women and children’s problems.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call during a side event hosted by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the 65th National Council on Health (NCH) in Maiduguri on Thursday.
The event, titled “ALGON Mission, Mandate, and Priority for Health 2024-2030,” focused on the role of local governments in shaping health policy and improving health outcomes in Nigeria.
The minister stressed the need for collaboration across all sectors, including government, healthcare providers and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) “to tackle systemic barriers in healthcare, particularly in maternal health.”
He shared a personal account of a pregnant woman suffering from eclampsia, highlighting the risks faced by many Nigerians due to lack of access to essential healthcare services.
Eclampsia is a rare but serious condition that occurs in the second half of pregnancy, causing seizures, high blood pressure, headaches, blurry vision and convulsion, which usually occurs in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
The minister said “this is a true story; external support was the only reason the woman and her child survived.
He used this example to stress the importance of building systems that provide affordable and timely interventions for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.
“We must act with urgency,” he declared, urging national effort to address the root causes of preventable deaths, particularly among women and children.
He called for unified approach across federal, state and local levels, stressing the importance of the National Health Act, which aims to provide universal access to healthcare services.
Pate also emphasized the need for improved healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, where limited access to services and resources remained a significant challenge.
He added that “it is not just about building more hospitals or clinics, but ensuring healthcare workers are trained, supported, and equipped to deliver the best care.”
He also called on the private sector to contribute to the national health agenda, aligning with government efforts to improve healthcare outcomes.
He highlighted the long-term benefits of improving women’s health, suggesting that solving maternal health challenges would create ripple effects, enhancing overall health outcomes for families and communities.
Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to reposition local governments to effectively deliver services and
enhanced governance, saying “Our goal is to build the capacity of local government councils to provide essential services to citizens.”
Dr Aminu Hassan, the ALGON Chairman in Taraba, presented the ALGON PHC Revitalisation and Operationalization Programme (APH-ROP), which seeks to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“This initiative aligns with national programmes like the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) 2.0 and aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” Hassan said.
Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the Head of WHO Nigeria, highlighted the importance of global partnerships in advancing health and education.
Mulombo praised the ongoing technical support efforts to strengthen health systems across the region and expressed optimism about the future impact of the initiatives.
Dr Pamela Ajayi, the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), emphasised the role of the private sector in healthcare delivery, underscoring two key initiatives – the GDP and the New World Initiative – which use telecommunications and mobile health technology to improve primary healthcare in underserved areas.
Dr Garfa Alawode, the Co-convener of the UHC2023 Forum, also called for united efforts to reduce preventable deaths, improve healthcare infrastructure, and support healthcare workers.
“Addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges requires collective will and action,” Alawode added.
