Federal Ministry of Health has established a new platform to improve reproductive health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for women, children, adolescents and the elderly.

The platform which is tagged ‘Nigeria’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Coordination Platform’ was set up with Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN)  in collaboration with other partners.

A statement from the ministry on Saturday said the platform is part of Federal Government’s strategy towards realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire said challenges of the country’s  health system  were multidimensional and thus, required an integrated, multi-sectoral approach.

“Our health indices are unacceptably poor, with a maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 1,000 live births, under-five mortality rate of 132 per 1,000 live births and neonatal mortality rate of 39 per 1000 live births, ” he said.

He said gaps existed in achieving overall coordination of RMNCAEH+N in Nigeria, and that the emergence of new issues around gender, public health emergencies and, most recently, Covid-19 pandemic has become an area of concerns for global health and security.

Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullahi said the platform which commences with the commemoration of high-level advocacy event would bring RMNCAEH+N issues to the front burner of political and societal agenda.

Executive Director, National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHIS), Mr Faisal Shuaib said Covid-19 pandemic has affected the economy, making it difficult to attain Universal Health Coverage.

Daily Trust