The Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum (NHCF) has called on more states to establish drug management agencies as a strategic move to reduce the soaring cost of medications across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This appeal was made in a communiqué released after the forum’s second quarterly meeting in Lagos, jointly signed by NHCF Chairman, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, and Secretary, Dr. Amina El-Imam.

According to the commissioners, the creation of such agencies would allow states to engage in pooled procurement of drugs, which would then be distributed to wholesalers and retailers at more affordable rates.

“This system enables states to access a consistent supply of high-quality, cost-effective medical commodities while benefiting from economies of scale,” the communiqué noted.

The forum also raised concerns over the stringent criteria and delays involved in onboarding states to the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). They pledged to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee to fast-track state participation.

Highlighting the scheme’s potential to enhance access to emergency medical care nationwide, the commissioners expressed their resolve to continue engaging NEMSAS, private healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to ensure full implementation.

The forum commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for successfully completing the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) in 13 states, urging the agency to extend the evaluation to the remaining states.

NHCF further emphasised the importance of establishing dedicated emergency health funds in all states, which should not be reabsorbed into general accounts at the end of each fiscal year.

The commissioners underscored the need for improved outbreak preparedness and response capacity at the state level, urging states to consistently notify the NCDC of any disease outbreaks. They also stressed the importance of collaboration between all health facilities—public and private—and state health ministries to boost surveillance and response systems.

Additionally, they recommended that each local government area establish a public health emergency operations centre alongside existing state-level isolation facilities.

Commending President Bola Tinubu’s administration for progress under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Programme, the forum acknowledged ongoing efforts to revitalise primary healthcare across Nigeria.

The communiqué also reviewed findings from NHCF’s recent national campaign, Project Ten Million, which screened millions of adults for hypertension and diabetes. The commissioners are now exploring how to use the collected data to enhance surveillance and improve multisectoral responses to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

They also celebrated advancements in maternal and child health, citing increased provision of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTP3), a rise in skilled birth attendance, and improved diarrhoea treatment rates.

Finally, the commissioners affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2026 and reaffirmed their dedication to advancing health outcomes for all Nigerians.