Recently Launched Nigeria NCDI Poverty Commission Reviews Situation Analysis, Plans for Priority-Setting

The newly established Nigeria NCDI Poverty Commission is making rapid progress. The Commission was formally launched on 30 March 2021. Just four months later, the Commission held its first technical meeting to review an initial situation analysis.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. E. O. Ehanire, presided over the virtual launch event in March. Dr. Ehanire provided opening remarks and introduced each of the Commission’s 25 members, who are drawn from the Federal Ministry of Health and a wide range of partner organizations.

The Commission is co-chaired by Dr. M. O. Alex-Okoh, Director of the Public Sector Health Authority in the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, CEO of the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation. Other Commission members include: national thought leaders in NCDs; WHO Cluster Lead for NCDs Dr. Kelias Msyamboza; clinical and research specialists; and members of civil society organizations and patient advocacy groups.

The Commission’s first technical meeting was held on 28 July 2021. Dr. Emmanuel Mensah, presenting on behalf of the NCDI Poverty Network Secretariat, provided an overview of the Network’s activities and progress.

The team then presented findings from an initial situation analysis of the NCDI burden and NCDI services in Nigeria. This was followed by a group discussion, with input from commissioners regarding the data presented. In the next phase of its work, the Commission will proceed with priority-setting for conditions identified through this analysis and for equitable and cost-effective interventions to address them.