The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to strengthening Plateau State’s health system and ensuring that all citizens have access to quality healthcare services.

FILE PHOTO: Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. X/@CalebMutfwang

The Plateau State Government has commenced a comprehensive review of the health sector, with stakeholders seeking to address existing gaps and strengthen community-based healthcare delivery across the state.

The 2026 Joint Annual Review of the Plateau State Ministry of Health brought together health professionals, government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to assess achievements, identify challenges and develop strategies for improving health outcomes.

Held under the theme, “Advancing Equity and Innovation: Strengthening Community-Centred Health Systems for Sustainable Impact,” the review is also expected to provide a framework for the state’s 2027 Annual Operational Plan.

Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to strengthening Plateau State’s health system and ensuring that all citizens have access to quality healthcare services.

Ba’amlong commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for prioritising the health sector through continued government support, approvals and the release of funds, which he said had facilitated the timely implementation of key health programmes.

According to him, the theme of the review underscores the critical role of healthcare in development and serves as a call for stakeholders to evaluate progress, address existing shortcomings and chart a clear path forward.

“It challenges us to reflect on our progress, confront our gaps, and chart a bold course for the future as we commence the 2027 Annual Operational Process,” the commissioner said.

He noted that the outcomes of the review would help shape future strategies, inform policy decisions and reinforce efforts to deliver equitable, accessible and sustainable healthcare services across the state.

“Let us be guided by evidence, inspired by innovation and anchored in collaboration,” he said, while appreciating development partners and health workers for their technical support, resources, resilience and sacrifice.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Plateau State, Hamisu Anani, praised Governor Mutfwang, the Ministry of Health, development partners and other stakeholders for their dedication to strengthening the state’s health sector.

Anani described a healthy population as the foundation of sustainable development and stressed the need for sustained investment in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, disease prevention, immunisation, healthcare infrastructure and policies that promote community well-being.

He expressed confidence that the review would deepen collaboration among stakeholders and generate practical solutions for improving health outcomes across the state.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Plateau State, Dr Mahdi Wade, also commended the state government for its leadership and commitment to improving healthcare delivery.

Wade reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting the state with the necessary human, material and financial resources, stressing the importance of evidence-based decision-making.

“We are here to review our achievements and also pick out from these achievements our critical challenges, so that we can identify those priorities that will contribute to the overall health and well-being of the people on the Plateau,” he said.

He added that decisions emerging from the review would be guided by documented evidence to ensure that the state’s priorities for the coming year effectively address critical challenges and deliver meaningful results.

The meeting also featured the presentation of the Plateau State Rapid Health Facility Assessment by the Director of Health Research and Statistics, Victoria Pam, as stakeholders reviewed the sector’s performance and identified areas requiring further intervention.