Federal Government Declares State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Health Sector

The federal government of Nigeria has declared a state of emergency on the health sector. This was highlighted as stakeholders from across the sector gather in Ekiti State for the 64th National Council on Health, where key issues surrounding the health sector will be debated.

Last month, the House of Representatives had called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the sector and allot substantial votes to it in the 2024 budget. The call was a result of a motion by a Lagos Lawmaker Fayinka Oluwatoyin (APC) during a plenary session in Abuja.

In the motion captioned “Need for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to collaborate with relevant health agencies in states and Local Governments to ensure the functionality of Primary Healthcare Centres”, the lawmaker representing Mushin Federal Constituency II of Lagos State said Nigeria’s health facilities are dilapidating at an alarming rate.

The lawmaker said the shortage of personnel, medical equipment, drugs and qualified personnel among others, has led to an increase in the death toll in health facilities in Nigeria.

The coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate said the country’s health facilities are in bad condition, reiterating there is a need for urgent intervention.

The theme for the ongoing National Council on Health is “building the resilience and inclusive healthcare system for a healthy Nigeria”. It lays emphasis on discussing and addressing issues that influence the direction of Nigeria’s health care system.

Meanwhile, the council also approved Health Promotion Day in Nigeria. The day will reportedly focus on promoting preventive measures in the health care system. Pate said the decision aims at “prioritizing and enhancing the overall well-being of Nigerians by raising awareness about health issues.”

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