Minister of Health
Nigeria has inaugurated the technical and steering committees to drive the process of improving quality healthcare for mothers, newborn and children.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, inaugurated the steering and technical committees in Abuja.
The inauguration of the committees was in direct response for the admission of Nigeria into the World Health Organization’s (WHO) network on quality healthcare for mothers, newborns and children.
Nigeria is therefore in support of the WHO vision where ‘every pregnant woman and newborn receives quality healthcare throughout, childbirth and the postnatal period, the minister stated.
He pointed out that the Federal Government was committed to developing healthcare strategies and plan in line with WHO‘s recommendation.
He reassured Nigerians that with the calibre of members in the steering and technical committees, Nigeria could make progress in reducing maternal, newborn and child deaths.
The members of the steering committee are the Minister of Health, Minister of State for Health, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Minister of Finance.
Others are the minister of agriculture, education, water resources , environment, information and culture.
Some permanent secretaries and directors in relevant ministries and heads of some selected agencies are also members.
The steering committee is to provide high level leadership for coordination of quality of care (QoC) interventions for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) in Nigeria.
It will also oversee partners and donors mapping, identify and mobilize resources from Global and local partners for implementation of the national roadmap and operational plan.
It will provide high level support to the WHO – led RMNCAH QoC network and implementation of the operational plan at country level as well as to provide overall guidance and approve action plans for the implementation of the national quality of care.
The technical committee would contribute to the development of a national quality of care strategies of health services and develop an action plan/road map to improve national quality of care of health services.
It would provide technical support for implementation of WHO – led RMNCAH QoC Network action plans in the country and develop strategies to link health facilities to communities.