Calabar, 20 November 2025 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, has urged federal and state health leaders to transform political commitments into concrete actions that guarantee the right to health for every Nigerian.
Delivering a goodwill message at the official opening of the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) in Calabar, Cross River State, Dr Ursu described the Council as the country’s most important platform for shaping health policy and driving systemic reforms.
Speaking on the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through Equity, Resilience and Innovation,” the WHO Representative emphasised that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is not merely a technical goal but a legal and moral obligation. He noted that the theme aligns perfectly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027), which prioritises inclusive and resilient health systems.
Dr Ursu commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for significant policy breakthroughs, including:
- Doubling the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, marking a major boost in domestic health financing;
- Adoption of Nigeria’s first national policy on health workforce migration; and
- Expansion of training and retention programmes to strengthen frontline health workers.
Despite these milestones, Dr Ursu stressed that persistent challenges require urgent and decisive policy action. He urged the Council to endorse and implement the evidence-based resolutions from the recently concluded Joint Annual Review to achieve measurable improvements in health outcomes.
“As leaders at federal and state levels, your decisions in the coming days will determine whether Nigeria moves faster toward equity, resilience, and innovation in health,” he told the gathering of governors, ministers, commissioners, permanent secretaries, and development partners.
Reaffirming WHO’s commitment, Dr Ursu pledged continued technical support through the One UN approach in areas of evidence-based policymaking, capacity building, and robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
He called on delegates to use the 66th NCH as a turning point to institutionalise reforms, harmonise strategies across all tiers of government, and deepen partnerships that will deliver a resilient health system where no Nigerian is left behind.
The week-long Council, hosted by the Cross River State Government, is the highest policy-making body on health in Nigeria.
