By Kingsley Agim and Jessica Edet
Nigeria’s top health policymakers, technical experts, and development partners have converged in Calabar as the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) commenced at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC). The week-long gathering, widely regarded as the apex policy forum for the country’s health sector, opened on Monday with intensive technical sessions focused on accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through equity, resilience, and innovation.
Operating under the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” the opening day featured three structured technical sessions that set the tone for national deliberations. Delegates considered the procedure for conducting the technical meetings, reviewed the proceedings of the 65th NCH, assessed the implementation status of previous resolutions, and began evaluating memos that will shape future policy directions.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Daju Kachollom, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the health system. She highlighted ongoing reforms in primary healthcare, supply chain management, human resources for health, and accountability mechanisms. Mrs. Kachollom emphasized that the recently approved Health Workforce Migration Policy remains central to stabilizing the system by improving retention, managing outflow, and promoting equitable workforce distribution across the country.
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“This theme is timely and compelling,” she said. “It challenges us to put the Nigerian citizen at the center of every decision, ensuring our policies genuinely advance Universal Health Coverage.”
Welcoming participants earlier, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, underscored the significance of hosting the 66th NCH in Calabar. He described the council as a pivotal platform for developing policies that guarantee equal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians, both rich and poor.
“As we gather today, we are provoked to make healthcare available to all Nigerians,” he said. “Our deliberations at this 66th NCH must inch us closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage. This requires not only financial access but also a well-distributed workforce, quality medicines, and functional infrastructure.”
The Commissioner urged delegates to propose practical and evidence-based memos that reflect the national aspirations captured in the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2023–2027, and to ensure that the outcomes of the technical sessions translate into better health services for citizens.
Day Two of the meeting is expected to continue with three additional technical sessions, focusing extensively on council memos and thematic presentations. Among the key highlights will be a presentation by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) titled “The Critical Missing Link in Crashing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Nigeria,” and another by Dr. Ofem Enang on “Health Workforce Development and Retention Strategies: The Nigerian Experience.”
The five-day council meeting will culminate in a high-level policy session where resolutions will be adopted to guide national and sub-national health implementation across the 36 states and the FCT. This year’s NCH is expected to mark a major step in strengthening Nigeria’s pathway toward Universal Health Coverage and building a more resilient and inclusive health system.
