ABUJA- The Federal Government, on Thursday, declared a state of emergency in Nigeria’s health sector.
The development took place at the 64th National Council on Health, where salient issues around the health sector were up for discussion. The opening ceremony on Thursday was an avenue to set the tone around the theme, which focuses on building resilience and an inclusive healthcare system for a healthy Nigeria.
The coordinating minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammed Ali Pate, said the nation’s health facilities are in bad shape, adding that there is a need for an urgent intervention.
Also, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji, in his remarks, said the state received with great excitement an offer to host the 64th National Council on Health and the prospect of having all the distinguished delegates from across the nation, including international stakeholders in health policy development in the state for this agenda setting council meeting.
He said the state has tremendous achievements to showcase in the health sector over the past few years.
Last month, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the sector and allocate significant votes to it in the 2024 budget.