The Health Commissioner of Borno State, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana has called for collaboration among public ministries across Nigeria with the aim of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for its citizens.
Prof. Gana made this call during their 65th National Council on Health (NCH), organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health.
The theme for this 65th NCH was “Accelerating Pathways for Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success.”
This development was made known via a statement shared on X on Thursday, noting the urgency to achieve this health scheme and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the proposed deadline slated for 2030.
“Today marks the opening of #NCH65 in the host state, Borno, bringing together leaders, experts, and advocates from across the country to discuss how we can accelerate progress, tackle barriers to healthcare access, and build a future where no Nigerian has to choose between their health and their livelihood,” the documents noted.
Speaking at the programme as the host, Prof. Gana stressed on the importance of the 65th meeting of NCH targeting to improve partnership and drive impactful health policies for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Adding that the aim is to ensure that citizens have quality access to healthcare facilities in Nigeria, urging for a united effort to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind before the schedule deadline.
Highlighting the challenges his state faces, Prof. Gana noted these challenges have been there for over a decade but have recorded improvement.
Expressing his excitement, he acknowledged that being a chief host was a “testament to the state’s resilience and commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the journey toward improved healthcare.”
“The push for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria is a race against time, a fight to save lives, and a necessity to secure the nation’s future.”
Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanem, the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, represented by the Shehu of Dikwa, explained the important role community played in their various communities, describing their position as a driving force to draw support for government reforms.
The monarch said it is important for both traditional institutions and health authorities to synergies with the aim of achieving sustainable health initiatives that will benefit all Nigerians.
