The Kogi State Ministry of Health has inaugurated the Joint Annual Review (JAR) Communiqué dissemination, a comprehensive document to improve healthcare outcomes for the state’s citizens.

The unveiling ceremony on Friday in Lokoja marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration and transparency in the health sector.

The state health commissioner, Adeiza Abdulazeez, emphasised the importance of conducting an in-depth assessment of the JAR Communiqué.

He highlighted the collective efforts of all participants as essential for enhancing healthcare service delivery for the residents of Kogi State.

Mr Abdulazeez reiterated Governor Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to maintaining the momentum of health development and intensifying efforts to ensure comprehensive healthcare services.

In a goodwill message, Olumide Adeyeye, a representative from UNICEF, commended the Kogi government for its significant achievements highlighted during the JAR meeting.

Mr Adeyeye reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continuing its partnership and supporting the state’s efforts to deliver adequate healthcare services.

The chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Usman Ochidi, emphasised that health remained a critical component of governance.

He pledged to expedite the passage of all health-related bills within the assembly. He expressed intentions to advocate for increased funding for the state health sector in the upcoming budgetary cycles.

Emmanuel Jonah, state desk officer for the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), said it was convened under the “One Plan, One Budget, One Conversation, and One Report” initiative.

The ministry’s director of health planning, research, and statistics, Johnson Aiyedogbon, who chaired the JAR meeting, said it aimed to review progress in the state health sector performance under the SWAp.

According to him, the meeting aims to review progress in the state health sector, focusing on key achievements, implementation, and multi-sectoral collaboration.

Mr Aiyedogbon said that this included increased health funding, the timely release of state counterpart funds, and the revitalisation of 194 primary health centres.

“Others are rises in health insurance enrollees due to consistent allocation of equity funds and provision of digital medical equipment to the state specialist hospital.

“The meeting brought together stakeholders from various health MDAs, development partners, and civil society organisations.

“It aims to foster collaboration and transparency in the health sector, ultimately improving health outcomes for Kogi State citizens. The dissemination of the JAR Communiqué marks a significant step towards improving health outcomes for the people of Kogi,” he said.

(NAN)