Ebonyi Govt Moves to Health Sector Assessment To Address Service Gaps

​The Ebonyi State Government has called for a comprehensive evaluation of performance within the health sector to measure progress, tackle lingering challenges, and implement sustainable solutions to boost service delivery across the state.

​The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, made the call while declaring open a three-day 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting in Abakaliki, themed “Building a Resilient and Equitable Health System through Partnership and Sustainable Financing”.

​Ekuma highlighted key milestones achieved over the past year across primary healthcare centers, secondary facilities, and tertiary health institutions in the state.

​He praised Governor Francis Nwifuru and the first lady, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, for their strategic investments, which he noted had significantly improved the state’s health indices.

​The commissioner also acknowledged the vital contributions of international development and implementing partners, including UNICEF, JHPIEGO, MSI, CHAI, UNFPA, Helen Keller International, CARITAS, ECEWS, and the Global Fund, among others.

​”I thank our development partners, key stakeholders, the Permanent Secretary, ALGON, Executive Secretaries of health MDAs, the CEO/HA HMB, Directors, the JAR Planning Committee, and our dedicated health workers for their coordination and immense sacrifices,” Ekuma stated.

​However, despite the achievements, the commissioner pointed out persistent hurdles facing the sector, notably maternal and child mortality, data inaccuracy, and critical delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving quality healthcare.

​Ekuma stressed that the review meeting must directly address key areas such as human resources for health, health commodities, supervision, community mobilisation, and sustainable financing, urging all participants to strictly implement the actionable outcomes of the deliberations.

​The opening session featured goodwill messages from key development partners and structured performance review presentations from the Ministry of Health, the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), and the Primary Health Care Development Agency (EBSPHCDA).