The Federal Government and the Cross River State government are stepping up efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country, focusing on HIV, tuberculosis, TB, and immunisation.
Deputy Governor Peter Odey, representing Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu, said the meeting showed the shared responsibility of federal and state authorities to strengthen primary healthcare, expand financial protection, and make health services accessible to all Nigerians.
Cross River State has introduced six months of maternity leave, rural-targeted palliatives, and stronger health insurance coverage.
Over 100 primary healthcare centres have also been renovated with support from the World Bank IMPACT project and state funds.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria is beginning to see improvements in maternal mortality, public confidence in primary healthcare centres, and health sector coordination.
He announced that the federal government secured ₦68 billion for vaccines and recently released ₦50 billion to pay health workers’ arrears, urging all states to increase their 2026 health budgets by at least one percent.
“Funds are ring-fenced to expand primary healthcare, supply equipment, and provide commodities for HIV, TB, malaria, and other essential health needs,” Pate said.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said health insurance coverage has grown from 3 percent in 2019 to 17 percent today, covering about 37.4 million Nigerians.
He praised Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, and Cross River for leading in coverage and highlighted the upgrade of over 10,800 primary healthcare centres nationwide.
Dr. Salako also acknowledged the support of development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, the U.S. Department of State, the Global Fund, and GAVI Alliance, for aligning their programs with Nigeria’s health priorities.
Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom thanked the Cross River State government for hosting the council and commended state commissioners, health officials, and development partners for their dedication.
At the opening ceremony, the World Health Organization presented vehicles and medical equipment to Cross River State to support healthcare delivery.
