Federal Government of Nigeria has declared a state of emergency in Nigeria’s health sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that during the 64th National Council on Health in Ekiti State, Dr. Muhammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, expressed concern about the poor state of the nation’s health facilities, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
The opening ceremony emphasized the theme of building resilience and fostering an inclusive healthcare system for a healthier Nigeria.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State welcomed distinguished delegates, including international stakeholders, to the 64th National Council on Health.
He highlighted the state’s excitement to host this agenda-setting council meeting and showcased significant achievements in the health sector over the past few years.
The House of Representatives had previously urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the health sector and allocate substantial funds in the 2024 budget.
This call followed a motion by 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 a fast rate.
According to him, the shortage of personnel, medical equipment, drugs, and qualified personnel among others, has led to a hike in the death toll in health facilities in the country.
