Premium Times, CJID to Host National Health Dialogue

–        Pate, commissioners, WHO, Gates Foundation to attend

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Premium Times, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), will on Thursday host the 2025 National Health Dialogue in Abuja, and this will bring together senior government officials, global health institutions, journalists, civil society groups and health innovators for a full day of discussions on the state of Nigeria’s health system.

The dialogue which will take place on Thursday, 27, at Fraser Suites, Abuja, will have the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, headlining the event in a fireside discussion while examining Nigeria’s reform priorities, the future of primary healthcare and the shifts required to improve outcomes nationwide.

Speaking ahead of the event, Managing Editor of Premium Times, Idris Akinbajo emphasised the newsroom’s long-standing focus on health accountability.

He said sessions throughout the day will examine the performance of primary healthcare centres, the role of state actors in budget implementation, and the challenge of mobilising sustainable financing in a period of declining donor support.

Also, how evidence, innovation, and sustainable financing can strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with particular attention to primary healthcare performance, health accountability, and strategies for improving service delivery across states will be discussed.

“Over the years, Premium Times has led powerful investigations to ensure the health system in Nigeria is strengthened. This dialogue is our way of bringing the news from the pages of the newspaper to stakeholders, so we can jointly chart a new path to support sustainable health financing.”

In his submission, Executive Director of CJID, Akintunde Babatunde, added that the dialogue represents the beginning of a wider national effort to strengthen health systems.

“Following this conversation, we will take these engagements to regions where there is clear evidence of declining health services, so we can work with stakeholders on practical steps to improve health outcomes across the country.”

The National Health Dialogue is intended to create a neutral space where policymakers, researchers, journalists, civil society groups and development partners can assess evidence, identify gaps and propose practical reforms”.

Other senior officials expected include the Nigeria Country Director of the World Health Organisation, the Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Others are state commissioners of health who will also participate in sessions on state-level financing plans and performance gaps.