Stakeholders at the 2026 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) have adopted 12 resolutions to strengthen health financing, improve workforce management and enhance accountability in Nigeria’s health sector.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day review, held in Abuja from Tuesday to Thursday.

The 2026 JAR had the theme, “Together to Higher Ground: Make Reform Data Count.”

The communiqué was read by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW), Mrs Daju Kachollom, at the closing ceremony on Thursday.

It was signed by Kachollom; Dr Pavel Ursu, Representative of Health Development Partners; Dr Oyebanji Filani, Chairman of the Commissioners for Health; and Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

According to Kachollom, stakeholders resolved to strengthen public financial management through “improved compliance with BHCPF transfer timelines, expanded digital expenditure tracking, and stronger linkage between expenditures and measurable service delivery outcomes.”

They also called for the operationalisation of the National Human Resources for Health Programme, including a dedicated management structure, implementation work plans and state retention strategies.

On health workforce distribution, the communiqué recommended “targeted incentives for deployment and retention in rural and underserved communities” and stronger collaboration with professional bodies.

The stakeholders also resolved to accelerate certification of Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities, beginning with those designated as Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care-ready.

The certification criteria, according to the communiqué, will cover “staffing, medicines, equipment, water supply, electricity, security, and functionality.”

On health financing, they called for “increased budgetary allocations to health, timely release and utilisation of appropriated funds, enhanced BHCPF contributions, and implementation of pro-health taxation policies.”

The communiqué further recommended expanding BHCPF-supported interventions in high-burden Local Government Areas identified through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative.

On health data, stakeholders resolved to establish District Health Information Software 2 as the single national platform for health data aggregation and reporting, while improving data quality, timeliness and interoperability across states.

They also called for stronger local manufacturing of health commodities through shared industrial infrastructure, improved investment readiness and better coordination among relevant ministries and stakeholders.

The communiqué urged support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to attain the World Health Organization’s Maturity Level Four status by 2027.

It also recommended stronger oversight of medicine distribution channels through improved surveillance, regulatory enforcement and operationalisation of approved coordinated drug distribution centres.

On emergency care, stakeholders called for a unified reimbursement mechanism for emergency care services, expanded emergency transportation systems and accelerated passage of the National Emergency Medical Treatment System Bill.

The communiqué noted progress in PHC functionality, reductions in facility-based maternal mortality, improvements in maternal and child health indicators, family planning and emergency medical transportation.

It also recognised the commencement of local production of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets as a milestone in strengthening local manufacturing and health security.

However, it identified health workforce distribution and retention, non-communicable diseases, quality of care, healthcare facility regulation, domestic resource mobilisation and public financial management as areas requiring accelerated action.

The communiqué stated that “sustained effort, stronger accountability, increased domestic financing, and data-driven decision-making will be critical to consolidating gains and achieving the sector’s goals.”

It added that participants had committed to implementing the resolutions to ensure measurable improvements in access to quality healthcare, particularly for women, children and vulnerable populations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual review provides a platform for stakeholders to assess progress, identify implementation gaps and agree on priority actions.

The actions are guided by the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027).

The stakeholders said that 2027 would be the final year of the current Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, requiring sustained implementation and accountability to consolidate progress. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru