ASABA/Nigeria: 2nd National Council on Health meeting being hosted by Delta State kicked off in the state capital Asaba, with the theme – Consolidating the Journey towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The National Council on Health is the highest policy-making body on health issues in the country.
Welcoming the participants to Delta State, commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye said 12 years of free maternal health care and 9 years of free under-5 healthcare, coupled with relevant health policies in the past 4 years under the present administration, had formed the bedrock of achievements in the state’s health sector.
The health commissioner listed some of these achievements to include tremendously improved financial access to health care services through the establishment of the state contributory Health Commission; the strengthening of the state Primary Health care Development Agency through the establishment of local government health authorities and ward Development Committees ; and the domestication of the Basic Health care Provision Fund, a major factor to the achievement of Universal Health coverage.
Technical presentations at the first day of the meeting included a talk on the theme of the meeting: Consolidating the Journey towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage, by Prof. Clara Ejembi, with Doctors Emmanuel Meribole, Adebimpe Adebiyi, Ibahim kana, Oyebanji Filani and Chikwe lhekweazu expatiatIng on various issues under the main theme.
Participants who spoke with our reporter Mercy Muemuifo said there was evidence of huge investment in healthcare in the state, especially at the primary level.
Some of the participants from Kano and Kaduna states comparing what was on ground in Delta State, vis a vis their own states, said there was clear demonstration of government’s commitment to uplifting the health sector, for the good of the people.
The visitors scored Deltans high, in hospitality and warmth, underscoring its image of a big heart.
The week- long convention, which saw delegates trickling into the state since Friday last week, is being attended by participants from more than 30 states and the federal capital territory.
