Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on Friday, inaugurated an Expert Working Group with the task of ensuring quality data collection and analysis for making informed decisions on emerging health challenges.
Inaugurating the Expert Group on the closing day of the 3-day Nigeria health sector Joint Annual Review, in Abuja, Prof. Pate said, “You are aware that timely and accurate data is at the core of effective policies, allowing us to address emerging health challenges, responding to community needs and making informed decisions that shape the future of our health sector.
“And to achieve this, we need a team of dedicated but skilled and innovative individuals who will bring expertise, critical insights and sheer dedication to the success of the vision”.
The Minister said the Group will be leading the technical discussions, advising on methodologies and ensuring the highest quality of data collection and analysis.
He said members are entrusted with key responsibility to lend their experiences and expertise to standardize our survey methodologies and ensure alignment of our indicators with international best practices; and ensure data collected is representative, of the highest quality and responsive to our unique health landscape.
According to him, members are to act as appropriate, stressing that the Group is only open to people with cognitive skills who will contribute in making sure we have a world class way of measuring the progress in the health sector.
Prof. Pate emphasized that it’s not a political group trying to make a political statement.
“It’s not a political statement that we are trying to make. It’s about data. So, members of this group have to be the right people who will add value.
“Through the collective expertise of this group, I’m confident we can create a robust framework that will strengthen our healthcare system”, he added.
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