Buhari names Osinbajo chairman of health sector reform committee

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a committee to reform the country’s health sector saddled with the responsibility of developing and implementing a reform programme.

He also named Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as the chairman of the committee that would sit for six months.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The committee is expected to work in collaboration with the state governments and the federal capital territory (FCT) administration.

The statement read in part, “This is sequel to a Health Sector Diagnostic Review Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“The committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme.

“The committee which is set up for a period of six months under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has members drawn from private and public sector health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly as well as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum among others.

“Other members are His Excellency Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State; Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Honourable Minister of Health; Mr. Alex Okoh Director-General BPE; Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, a Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London and Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health; Mr Babatunde Irukera, Director General, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council; Senator( Dr) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; Dr. Adedamola Dada; Dr. Sani Aliyu; Dr. Mairo Mandara; Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga; Professor Uche Amazigbo; Director Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Dr Faisal Shuaib; Prof Nasiru Sambo; Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa; Dr Gambo Aliyu.

“Others in the committee are: Dr Betta Edu ( Chairman Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum representing National Council on Health); President Nigeria Medial Association; President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives; President Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria; Mrs Temi Marcella Awogboro; Dr. Muhammad Sadiq; Dr. Azubike Tagbo and World Health Organization, Nigeria.”

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Vesta Healthcare Partners is expected to pay an observer role.