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 State capital.
He emphasized the need for equity and inclusive in health service delivery, saying that everyone has a role to play in promoting and sustaining health.
“It is the responsibility of all, whether you are a doctor, nurse, public health professional, or even outside the medical field, to ensure good health,” he said.
Ayuk stressed that universal health coverage should guarantee 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 added.
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 for all citizens.
He reaffirmed Cross River State’s commitment to advancing universal health coverage and called on all Nigerians to actively participate 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 was aimed at preparing recommendations to accelerate universal health coverage in Nigeria.
Daju said the theme of the meeting is: “My Health, My Rights: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation.”
She added that the technical session would 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 hold on Thursday and Friday. Wednesday has been set aside for participants to explore and enjoy the sights of Calabar,” she said.
The permanent secretary explained that deliberations during the technical session would lay the groundwork by 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 said all memoranda and relevant documents would be shared electronically with participants, and tablets would be distributed during breaks.
“The secretariat will provide technical support throughout the session. The agenda includes reviewing the proceedings and implementation stages of resolutions from the 66th Regular NCH meeting, as well as presentations from memo authors highlighting the purpose, content, and rationale of their submissions. Participants will also discuss the National Health Care Policy (NCHP) and trustees, while exploring the main theme with constructive submissions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s path toward universal health coverage,” she said.
Daju further disclosed that over 82 memos had been submitted for the 66th NCH meeting, with the majority addressing key areas such as strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC), health financing and insurance expansion, medicines supply chain reforms, digital health transformation, health workforce development, and power and infrastructure needs in health facilities.
She added that the technical session would review each memo in detail, harmonize recommendations, and determine items to be escalated to the Council Meeting of Commissioners of Health and the Ministers.
