Buhari Sets Up Health Reform Committee, Appoints Osinbajo as Chairman

By John Ikani

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the setting up of a Health Sector Reform Committee to commence the development and implementation of a programme for the country in collaboration with the state governments and the FCT administration.

A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity on Monday, said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed to head the committee as Chairman.

According to the statement, the constitution followed a Health Sector Diagnostic Review Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health.

It said the committee will commence the development and implementation of Nigeria’s health reforms in collaboration with state governments and the FCT administration.

The statement went on to note that the committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt, and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme.

Members were drawn from private and public sector health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly, the Nigeria Governors Forum among others.

They include ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State; Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health; Alex Okoh, Director General BPE; Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, a Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London; Babatunde Irukera, Director General, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council.

Others are Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe; Adedamola Dada; Dr. Sani Aliyu; Dr. Mairo Mandara; Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga; Prof. Uche Amazigbo, Director Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Dr Faisal Shuaib; Prof Nasiru Sambo; Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa; Dr Gambo Aliyu.

Dr. Betta Edu, Chairman Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum representing National Council on Health; President, Nigeria Medial Association; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives; President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria; Mrs Temi Marcella Awogboro; Dr. Muhammad Sadiq; Dr. Azubike Tagbo and World Health Organization (WHO), complete the list.

Vesta Healthcare Partners and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are to serve as resources persons and have observer roles in the committee.