By Abujah Racheal
Federal health authorities have named Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory as the top performers in implementing resolutions agreed at the 2024 Council on Health meeting.
Dr Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, disclosed the ranking while presenting the implementation status report during the 66th Council on Health meeting, in Cross River on Wednesday.
He said the gathering, themed “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through Equity, Resilience and Innovation,” united diverse stakeholders to assess progress and identify gaps within Nigeria’s health sector.
Shoretire noted that Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Enugu and Osun were among states showing slower advancement in implementing the resolutions endorsed during the 2024 session compared with states demonstrating stronger capacity overall.
He explained that Sokoto topped the chart, followed by Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta, the Federal Capital Territory and Plateau, while others like Kebbi, Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Enugu and Osun ranked lower.
He recalled that the council meeting in Maiduguri approved 58 memos aimed at strengthening the health workforce, boosting nutrition, improving primary healthcare services and advancing maternal and child health across states.
Shoretire warned that many states still struggled to translate approved resolutions into actionable programmes, noting the persistent gap continued to hinder progress and undermined targets set to improve health outcomes nationwide.
He attributed slow progress to challenges arising after state budgets were finalised, poor dissemination, weak advocacy and funding constraints, stressing that improved coordination and adequate resources remained to strengthen implementation efforts.
Shoretire encouraged states to collaborate with academic institutions, research bodies and policy experts to strengthen implementation, urging commissioners for health to intensify advocacy so resolutions gained attention and funding across levels.
He estimated that one-third of the resolutions had been implemented nationwide, putting the implementation rate at 31per cent, adding that the resolutions were not expected to be completed within one year. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Abiemwense Moru
