FG to adopt comprehensive health systems development

The Federal Government plans to advance health care delivery through a comprehensive development of the health systems and improved quality of life for all Nigerians.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, who stated this during the 40th anniversary of the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the launch of the book “Intentionality: Society for Family Health’s 40 Years Odyssey of Bold Vision, Institutional Resilience, and Enduring Impact” in Abuja, said the country is at a crossroads in its health system.

He said the global health challenges such as pandemics, the rise of non-communicable diseases, and persistent healthcare inequities require the government to be proactive and strategic in actions that ensure the health of all Nigerians.

“As we work to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), reduce maternal mortality, and build stronger health systems, SFH will remain a critical partner in Nigeria’s health transformation,” he said.

Pate observed that the government is enhancing the healthcare system’s sustainability and resilience by integrating efforts across all levels of government, and society, and development partnerships to foster a more robust, community-centred health system. He stated that health is recognised as a catalyst for national development, hence the need to build resilient, community-centred health systems capable of withstanding challenges.

Pate stated that the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), serves as a strategic framework that unites stakeholders across sectors through a compact aimed at achieving better health outcomes for all Nigerians and represents a shared commitment to building resilient health systems that prioritise integration, sustainability, affordability and equitable service delivery.

The minister reflected on SFH’s transformative impact, saying, “SFH’s journey is not about an organisation, it is a story of transformed lives, empowered families, and uplifted communities. Their intentional approach to health challenges has set a benchmark for sustainable and impactful healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

He pointed out that over the last four decades; SFH has worked tirelessly to ensure that women and families across Nigeria have access to life-saving services and knowledge, empowering them to lead healthier and more productive lives.

Pate observed that the SFH has equipped thousands of health professionals and frontline workers to not only deliver care but to lead health interventions within their communities, adding that this emphasis on empowering local health workers has amplified the reach of healthcare services and ensured that the most remote communities are not left behind.

He said, “But what stands out about SFH is its ability to deliver immediate results and its foresight in building systems that ensure sustained impact. SFH did not stop providing care to individuals, it worked to build resilient health ecosystems, training thousands of community health workers and strengthening health infrastructure to make health services more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.

According to him, one of the most significant aspects of SFH’s legacy is the ability of the organisation to scale solutions to a national level, while maintaining a focus on community-driven models. He observed that the SFH’s ability to translate bold vision into action is encapsulated in the pillars that have defined its work over the years: human resources for health, innovative health solutions, healthcare financing, and community engagement, which are strategies that have reshaped the health landscape of Nigeria, contributing directly to national priorities like Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

He said: “SFH’s commitment to innovation, exemplified through piloting digital health solutions and improving health supply chains, echoes the NHSRII’s objective for modernising healthcare. Whether using technology to monitor health indicators or introducing new financing models to support programmes, SFH has demonstrated that sustainable healthcare can be achieved through collaboration and forward-thinking strategies.

He emphasised that the SFH’s vision was intentional and focused on addressing the maternal health crisis in Nigeria, stressing that the organisation’s commitment to intentionality, being deliberate and proactive in facing public health challenges, has persisted for 40 years.

President of SFH Board of Trustees, Prof Ekanem Braide, emphasised the importance of collaboration. “SFH’s legacy is rooted in innovation, resilience, and partnerships. As we celebrate today, we also recommit to advancing health equity and empowering communities across Nigeria.”

In his remarks, SFH Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, said the organisation has achieved significant milestones, stressing that over 89 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted, 50 million deaths prevented, 58 million Couple Years of Protection (CYPs) achieved, and 62 million unintended pregnancies avoided in Nigeria.

He observed that these numbers represent real, life-changing impacts, healthier families, empowered communities, and brighter futures, and stressed that SHF has developed an innovative public-private partnership model for Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.

He noted that in 2023, the organisation reorganised strategically, and established SFH Access Ltd GTE, a new entity focused on procurement, supply chain management, manufacturing, telemedicine, and expanding access to essential medicines.

Idogho observed that through SFH Access, the organisation leverages experience in large-scale procurement and logistics to ensure affordable, high-quality healthcare, while its Access Medicine Programme offers life-saving Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) medicines in tackling the rising burden of chronic diseases across the continent.

The managing director said that the SFH has launched a new strategic plan titled “Beyond Boundaries: 2024–2030” in line with Nigeria’s health renewal and transformation agenda, adding that this roadmap challenges the organisation to lead disruptive innovations, expanding access to care in an inclusive, resilient, and equitable health system.”