The government said this today at the national stakeholder engagement on accelerating improvement in primary health care in Nigeria with local government financial autonomy in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate said collaboration is critical in advancing primary healthcare in Nigeria, and financial autonomy for local governments must be adapted in a way that preserves and enhances service delivery.
Pate noted that the 2014 National Health Act established the National Health System, comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, Local Government Authorities, and other relevant institutions, stressing that this framework must now be leveraged to strengthen the primary healthcare system.
The minister highlighted that the government’s goal is not to build a system for its sake, but a system that works for Nigerians.
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He said financial autonomy requires strategic resource allocation, where local governments optimise what they have, states provide their support, and the Federal Government continues to offer technical and policy guidance.
He also urged all governors, local government leaders, civil society, and development partners to collaborate to ensure financial autonomy translates into effective service delivery, accountability, and improved health outcomes for Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Care Development Agency, Muyi Aina noted that the meeting followed a landmark court ruling that granted local governments financial autonomy to the local governments.
According to him, stakeholders acknowledged the challenges and opportunities presented by this ruling and are committed to working together to protect the gains of primary healthcare and accelerate its impact.
He said a framework for collaboration has been established, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, including tiers of government, non-state actors, and development partners.