Cross River Hosts First-Ever National Council on Health as Gov Otu Reaffirms Commitment to UHC

 

By Kingsley Agim 

Cross River State on Monday welcomed delegates from across the country to the 66th Regular Session of the National Council on Health (NCH), marking the first time the nation’s highest health policy–making body is convening in the state. The five-day event is holding at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

Declaring the Council open, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, described the hosting of the NCH as a significant honour for Cross River. He stated that the gathering carries immense implications for the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s collective pursuit of a stronger, more equitable health system. 

Delivering the Governor’s message, he emphasized that the Council underscores the shared responsibility to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians, noting that its resolutions require the full attention and commitment of every stakeholder.

Held under the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” the 66th NCH seeks to drive Nigeria’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening primary healthcare, expanding equitable access, and reducing financial barriers, especially for vulnerable populations.

Governor Otu highlighted major achievements recorded in the state. He disclosed that Cross River has renovated and equipped more than 100 primary healthcare centres across all 18 LGAs, with support from the World Bank IMPACT Project, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, the state government, and development partners. He also noted that the state’s Primary Healthcare-Based Health Palliative Programme is currently targeting pregnant women in rural communities, children under five, and elderly persons over 70.

The Governor reaffirmed that the state has fully implemented the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors and is currently constructing a modern general hospital in Ikom. He added that the state is recruiting additional health workers and scaling up training programmes to improve service delivery. He also announced the establishment of four Colleges of Nursing to ensure a sustained pipeline of mid-level health professionals, and the creation of the Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency to regulate medicine prices and improve access to essential health commodities. These reforms, he said, reflect his administration’s unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare delivery and building a healthier, more prosperous Cross River State.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, expressed deep appreciation to the Government and people of Cross River for what he described as exceptional hospitality. He noted that this year’s NCH is taking place at a critical moment, two years after the adoption of landmark reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, improving supply chains, modernizing hospitals, enhancing health security, and accelerating digital transformation.

Prof. Pate announced major federal strides that demonstrate the administration’s renewed prioritization of health. These include the release of ₦68 billion for vaccine financing, already credited to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and ₦50 billion deployed to clear outstanding arrears owed to health workers. He also disclosed that the Federal Government is working to increase health’s share of the national budget by at least 0.6% in 2026, targeting a minimum of 6% of total federal expenditure, and urged states to raise their own health budgets by a minimum of 1% above 2025 allocations.

The Minister reported improvements in health outcomes nationwide, including reduced maternal mortality, increased access to essential services, and strengthened public confidence in the sector. He emphasized that current federal investments are ring-fenced to bolster frontline services, maintain vaccine availability, secure reproductive health commodities, and equip hospitals and primary healthcare centres with tools required for effective service delivery.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the NCH continues to provide a vital platform for advancing national conversations on quality of care, health financing, and Universal Health Coverage. He stressed that UHC is not merely about statistics, but about ensuring women receive skilled birth care, children get immunised, and families are protected from catastrophic health spending.

He noted that health insurance coverage has risen from 3% in 2019 to 17% in 2024, with over 20 million Nigerians now enrolled, and commended several states, including Cross River, for strong performances in PHC revitalisation and digital health innovation. He called for faster implementation of mandatory health insurance laws across all states, stronger funding for PHCs, innovative financing (including sin taxes and PPPs), and increased local production of medical supplies. Dr. Salako also appealed to striking health workers to return to duty in the national interest, reiterating that progress toward UHC demands equity, resilience, innovation, and collective effort.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, warmly acknowledged the presence of the Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health, the Minister of State, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and other dignitaries. He assured delegates that the state government had put in place a fully enabling environment for a successful Council meeting, adding that Cross River was committed to ensuring that every participant enjoyed a comfortable and memorable stay in Calabar.

Dr. Ayuk encouraged guests to explore the city’s rich culture and hospitality and thanked development partners, the WHO, Commissioners of Health, and all stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes nationwide. He wished all delegates productive deliberations and a successful 66th National Council on Health.

In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, described this year’s NCH as exceptional. She said the deliberations over two days were frank, rigorous, and energised, reflecting a deep commitment to building a stronger and more resilient health system.

She expressed profound gratitude to the Government and people of Cross River State, noting that hosting an event of this scale required remarkable coordination and dedication. She commended Governor Otu for the warmth, hospitality, and preparedness that ensured the entire health sector community was well received in Calabar. She also acknowledged the Obong of Calabar for his support and the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in public health advocacy.

The Permanent Secretary praised the Ministers, Commissioners for Health, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Heads of Agencies, and development partners for their depth, honesty, and forward-looking contributions. She further commended Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, FCT, Plateau, and Ekiti States for excelling in the implementation of the 65th NCH resolutions, saying their progress demonstrates what is achievable when political will aligns with competence.