Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to placing Nigerians at the centre of health policymaking as it opened the Technical Session of the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) today Monday in Calabar, Cross River State. This was contained in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director/Head, Information and Public Relations.
Declaring the session open, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom mni, said the 2025 NCH theme: “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience and Innovation”, underscores the government’s resolve to deepen citizen inclusion in health decisions and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She described the Technical Session as the “engine room” of the NCH, where ideas are interrogated, evidence is weighed, and technical recommendations are shaped for consideration of the Council.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted ongoing federal reforms in primary healthcare strengthening, supply chain optimisation, human resources for health, and digital health systems, including the newly approved Health Workforce Migration Policy.
These, she said, aim to rebuild public trust and ensure that Nigeria’s health system becomes more equitable, resilient, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
“The comprehensive agenda before this Council reflects our determination to build a health system that is inclusive, efficient, and centred on the Nigerian citizen,” she said. “Our recommendations must be practical, cost-effective, and aligned with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2023–2027.”
She also praised the Cross River State Government for hosting the meeting, acknowledging the contributions of health commissioners, state permanent secretaries, federal directors, agencies, and development partners for sustaining collaboration across the sector.
In his welcome remarks, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk said hosting the 66th NCH is an opportunity for the state and the entire country to push harder toward UHC.
He emphasised that equitable access to quality healthcare remains central to national development, noting that the decisions made at the NCH have far-reaching implications for improving health outcomes, reducing financial hardship, and strengthening human rights in the health sector.
“As we gather here today at the 66 NCH, we are provoked to make healthcare available to all Nigerians where the rich and the poor can get health benefits equally and where the healthy can contribute to make the unhealthy become more healthy, Dr. Ayuk stated.
He wished all participants comprising Commissioners for Health and their Permanent Secretaries from the 36 states and the FCT; and other key health stakeholders successful and impactful deliberations during the technical sessions and council meetings.
The 66th National Council on Health continues with technical reviews and consideration of council memos aimed at driving national health reforms into 2026 and beyond.
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