The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has called for immediate action to combat the alarming rates of neonatal mortality and malnutrition affecting the country. Speaking at the ongoing Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja, Governor Hope Uzodinma emphasized that despite improvements in health indicators, particularly in reducing under-five and infant mortality rates, these figures remain unacceptably high.
Governor Uzodinma expressed concern over the growing challenges, stating, “While progress has been made, neonatal mortality and malnutrition rates continue to worsen, underscoring the urgency of our efforts.” He stressed the importance of a collaborative approach, recognizing the unique health challenges faced by each state while maintaining a shared goal of enhancing health outcomes nationwide.
The Governor also acknowledged the Minister of Health’s dedication to implementing the health sector compact and praised the ongoing coordination across Nigeria’s 36 states, which has aligned key stakeholders on sector-wide objectives. Reaffirming the NGF’s commitment, he stated that the Forum remains focused on improving the nation’s health sector and advancing care for all Nigerians.