FCTA Begins Unified Health Plan
By: Prudence Okonna
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded plans to create a unified annual Health plan through a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) for 2025.
This is aimed at aligning with the health priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ as encapsulated in the National Health Policy.
Accordingly, it is part of efforts to reposition the Health Sector in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during a Stakeholders meeting at the United Nations Common Office in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environmental Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Babagana Adam, said SWAp is a groupings of all health response by Mr. President’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
Adam explained a sensitization Meeting on SWAp-Health Sector Strategies Blueprint (HSSB) Annual Operational plan, as organised by the Department of Health Planning Research and Statistics, is apt and timely.
His words: “The Health Services and Environmental Secretariat is keying into the Health Policy Direction of Mr President to reposition the Health Sector as it will redefine health businesses for better outcomes in the country.”
He said the major Departments and Agencies from the Health and Environment Secretariat that will be involved in the creation of the Health Annual Operational plan include Hospital Management’s Board, Primary Health Care Board, Public Health Department, FCT-Health Insurance Scheme, the office of the Mandate Secretary and Permanent Secretary
With Department of Health Planning Research and Statistics as the drivers of the Annual Operational plan.
Adam charged the Health stakeholders to be committed to making SWAp work in the FCT.
Also speaking at the event, the Ag. Director, Department of Health Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Theresa Nwachukwu, said the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023-2027), which was approved by Mr. President and adopted by the National Council on Health, is the central strategic development framework to inform the Annual Operational Plan for 2025.
While thanking the World Health Organization (WHO) for its technical support and hosting of the meeting, she said the meeting will help stakeholders understand the new approaches, priorities, templates, a detailed but adaptable roadmap as well as gaps in knowledge and fill it quickly.
On her part, the World Health Organisation (WHO), FCT Cordinator, Kumshida Yakubu, expressed the commitment of WHO to providing technical assistance and support to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative in the FCT.
She commended the FCT HSES for its dedication in improving healthcare delivery in the Nation’s Capital.
Abuja Digest reports that the Sector Wide Approach, otherwise known as SWAp is expected to build a more unified, effective and sustainable health sector to address funding flows, endorse strategies by bringing together the different arms in the health sector.
