Chidi Samuel|
The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the sum of N6.07 trillion for a comprehensive health care plan in the country.
Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at the end the federal executive council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
According to Adewole, 38.2 per cent of the sum was earmarked for human resources for a period of five years, that is between 2018 and 2022.
He also said that 34 per cent was earmarked for medical supplies while seven per cent was allocated for infrastructural development.
Adwole said, “The entire projects meant for over five years will cost us over N6.071 trillion and we believe that if this funding is done, if the plans are implemented faithfully, we will achieve a 31 per cent reduction in maternal mortality.”
“We will achieve 33 per cent reduction in horizontal mortality and we will achieve under five per cent mortality reduction of 29 per cent,” the minister revealed, adding, “We are quite confident that this plan will usher Nigeria into a new era and Council in its wisdom, approved this plan for implementation.”
The minister fuether revealed that following the approval, the Federal Government would ask the states to commence implementation.
The government he said, would also seek the support of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to ensure the plan was faithfully implemented.
Professor Adewole recalled a previous attempt to come up with a plan between 2010 and 2015, saying it had 52 targets.
According to him, the government was only able to achieve two of the targets and spent a long time to put the second plan in place.
He said, “So, it took us about two years to get this second plan done. It involves all states of the federation. It includes the Federal Capital Territory, and our development partners participated in the presentation and the approval of the plan.”
“The plan was approved at the National Council on Health meeting that took place in Kano on 21st of June, 2018. The plan essentially has five strategic pillars and 15 priority areas.
“The five strategic pillars include: enabling environment for our attainment of health sector good, increased utilisation of essential package of healthcare services, strengthening our health system, and protection from health emergencies as well as health financing.”
The minister said the new plan has 15 thematic areas, 48 strategic objectives, and 282 interventions which he said would improve healthcare delivery in the nation.
Wednesday’s FEC meeting was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.