The Plateau State Government has announced plans to review healthcare delivery, health financing, disease surveillance and the distribution of health workers as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this during a press briefing at Crispan Hotel Hall in Jos ahead of the 12th Plateau State Council on Health.
The council, themed “From Policy to People: Consolidating Quality Universal Health Coverage and Health Security on the Plateau,” is expected to bring stakeholders together to assess progress in the health sector and develop practical strategies for improving healthcare services.
Baamlong said the meeting would focus on translating government health policies into tangible improvements in the lives of residents, particularly those in underserved communities.
He noted that although the state had made efforts to strengthen its health system over the past year, more work was needed to ensure healthcare services were accessible, affordable and delivered to acceptable standards.
According to the commissioner, one of the council’s major priorities is strengthening primary healthcare facilities and expanding access to essential services while promoting dignity and professionalism in healthcare delivery.
He also identified health security and the One Health approach as critical areas of discussion, stressing the need for improved disease surveillance, faster outbreak responses and stronger collaboration between human, animal and environmental health sectors.
The commissioner said climate-related health risks had further highlighted the importance of coordinated preparedness and response mechanisms.
On health financing, Baamlong explained that the state would explore sustainable funding options and expand health insurance enrolment to reduce the financial burden of accessing medical services on families.
He added that improving the availability and distribution of skilled health workers across communities would remain a priority, alongside strengthening training, recruitment and retention.
The council will also examine the role of digital health technologies and improved health information systems in promoting transparency, strengthening data management and supporting evidence-based decisions.
Baamlong further emphasised the importance of community participation, noting that partnerships with traditional rulers, civil society organisations and community groups were essential to ensuring that healthcare interventions responded to the needs of residents.
He said effective governance, accountability and regulation would also be necessary to build a health system capable of delivering quality services to the population.
The commissioner maintained that every resident, regardless of location or age, deserved access to quality healthcare, adding that the state remained committed to building a health system that people could trust.
The 12th Plateau State Council on Health is scheduled to commence with an opening ceremony on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while technical sessions will hold from October 21 to 22.
Baamlong called on the media and other stakeholders to support the process through accurate reporting, feedback and collaboration, expressing optimism that the deliberations would produce practical measures to strengthen healthcare delivery and health security across Plateau State.
