The Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, has called for collective responsibility in the health sector, stressing that healthcare is a right for all citizens, not a privilege for a few.
Ayuk made the call on Monday while declaring open the Technical Session of the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) in Calabar, the Cross River capital.
He emphasized the need for equity and inclusive in health service delivery, noting that everyone has a role to play in promoting and sustaining good health.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure good health. Whether you are a doctor, nurse, public health professional or even outside the medical field, we all have a role to play,” he said.
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Ayuk also advocated universal health coverage that guarantees access to quality healthcare without financial barriers.
“Our goal is to make healthcare accessible to both the rich and the poor, and to empower the healthy to support the sick in becoming healthier,” he said.
The commissioner urged state and federal health agencies, international and local partners, and other stakeholders to collaborate in providing quality medicines, functional infrastructure and sustainable healthcare services to all citizens.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to advancing universal health coverage and called on Nigerians to take active roles in health promotion and disease prevention.
In her remarks, Ms. Kachallom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the Technical Session of the NCH Transition Committee aims to prepare recommendations to accelerate universal health coverage in Nigeria.
She said the theme of the meeting is “My Health, My Rights: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience and Innovation.”
According to her, the session will focus on two sub-themes: Sustainable Health Financing and Domestic Resource Mobilization, and Health Workforce Development and Retention Practices.
“The technical committee sessions are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, while the council meeting, chaired by the President and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, will take place on Thursday and Friday.
“Wednesday is kept free for participants to explore and enjoy the beautiful sights of Calabar,” she said.
Daju disclosed that deliberations during the technical session would lay the groundwork for compiling recommendations based on submitted memoranda for the council’s consideration.
“As in previous meetings, the NCH will play a central role in guiding discussions,” she added.
She noted that all memoranda and relevant documents would be shared electronically with participants, with tablets distributed during the tea break. She added that the secretariat would provide technical support throughout the session.
“The agenda includes reviewing the proceedings and implementation stages of resolutions from the previous NCH meeting, as well as presentations from memo authors highlighting the purpose and rationale of their submissions.
“Participants will also discuss the National Health Care Policy (NCHP) and its trustees, while exploring the main theme with constructive submissions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s path toward universal health coverage,” she said.
Daju further revealed that over 82 memoranda have been submitted for the 66th NCH meeting, with most addressing key areas such as strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC), expanding health financing and insurance, reforming the medicines supply chain, advancing digital health transformation, boosting health workforce development and addressing power and infrastructure needs in health facilities.
She added that the technical session will review each memo in detail, harmonize recommendations and determine the items to be escalated to the Council Meeting of Commissioners of Health and the Ministers.
