The Federal Government on Monday reiterated its dedication to accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through reforms anchored on equity, resilience, and innovation.
This assurance was given by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, during the 66th meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held in Calabar, Cross River State.
The meeting, themed “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” brought together top-level decision-makers. The NCH, chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Commissioners of Health from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, serves as Nigeria’s highest policy-making body for health sector governance.
Declaring the technical session open, Kachollom—who also chairs the session—highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, reform supply chains, enhance accountability, and improve data systems for informed decision-making.
“This theme is timely and compelling,” she said. “It challenges us to place the Nigerian citizen at the core of every decision, ensuring that our policies and programmes truly advance Universal Health Coverage. The discussions we begin today will reinforce the foundations of a resilient health system and, importantly, rebuild public trust in the services we provide.”
She added that the ministry will continue to consolidate reforms across primary healthcare, supply chain management, and human resources for health, while deepening institutional coordination and accountability.
In his welcome address, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, emphasized that strengthening Nigeria’s health system requires the collective effort of all professionals.
He noted that achieving UHC demands more than financial access; it also depends on a well-distributed health workforce, quality medicines, and functional infrastructure.
“This session of the NCH should bring us closer to Universal Health Coverage,” Ayuk said. “Our expectation is that this technical meeting will produce actionable proposals that advance UHC by improving health outcomes, reducing financial hardship from medical costs, and promoting equity and human rights.”