Kogi, FG Begin 2027 Health Sector Operational Plan

The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has commenced the preparation of the 2027 Health Sector Annual Operational Plan (AOP), with over 80 stakeholders converging in Okene, the state.

The week-long strategic planning exercise, being coordinated under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework, is aimed at reviewing, harmonising and finalising the state’s health priorities, programmes and interventions ahead of the 2027 fiscal year.

Participants drawn from government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders are expected to produce a comprehensive operational blueprint to guide healthcare planning, resource allocation, implementation, monitoring and service delivery across the state in 2027.

Inaugurating the exercise at De Hill Top Guest House, Okene, the Kogi State Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, described the AOP as a critical “living document” that would provide strategic direction for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of health programmes and interventions throughout the year.

Adeiza said the plan would also provide a framework for measuring performance, identifying gaps and ensuring that available resources were channelled towards priority areas capable of delivering measurable improvements in health outcomes.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s continued investment and support for the health sector, while also applauding Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for according healthcare delivery a major priority under his administration.

The commissioner urged participants to bring their professional expertise and experience to bear on the exercise, stressing that the quality of the final document would depend largely on the depth and quality of contributions from stakeholders.

He called for a thorough assessment of existing programmes, emerging health challenges and available resources to ensure that the final plan was realistic, evidence-based and implementable.

Adeiza also appreciated MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices and other development partners, including UNICEF and Malaria Consortium, for their support towards healthcare interventions in the state.

Earlier, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Johnson Aieyedogbon, expressed satisfaction with the commencement of the 2027 AOP process, describing it as evidence of the state’s proactive approach to health-sector planning.

Aieyedogbon said the week-long exercise would enable stakeholders to review existing priorities, harmonise proposed interventions and make technical contributions towards producing a comprehensive final document.

He explained that the exercise was moved from Lokoja to Okene to provide a more conducive environment for focused deliberations and effective participation.

Also speaking, the SWAp Desk Officer, Dr Emmanuel Bola Jonah, said the 2027 AOP was being developed within the framework of the Sector-Wide Approach, which promotes coordinated planning, budgeting, implementation and accountability across the health sector.

According to him, the process was deliberately aligned with the state’s annual budget preparation to ensure that identified health priorities and programmes are adequately captured in the 2027 budget.

He said the approach would facilitate the allocation of available resources in line with established priorities, identified needs and measurable health-sector objectives.

The 2027 AOP is aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) 2023–2027, with the SWAp framework providing the basis for coordinated planning, financing, implementation and accountability.

The plan is structured around four broad strategic directions: Universal Access; Healthcare Transformation; People-Centred Care; and Resilience and Preparedness.

Under Universal Access, the plan seeks to expand comprehensive healthcare coverage while addressing geographical, economic and social barriers to quality healthcare services.

Healthcare Transformation will focus on strengthening health infrastructure, improving service delivery systems and promoting digital health technologies and other innovations.

The People-Centred Care component will prioritise health workforce capacity development, professional advancement and stronger community participation in healthcare delivery.

Under Resilience and Preparedness, the plan will strengthen emergency response mechanisms, health security and the state’s capacity to prevent and respond effectively to public health emergencies.

The SWAp framework is also expected to deepen collaboration among government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders, while strengthening financial accountability, results-based implementation and joint performance monitoring.

The participating development partners commended the state government for its support for the health sector and commitment to coordinated planning, partnership and improved healthcare delivery.

At the end of the week-long exercise, stakeholders are expected to produce a harmonised and finalised 2027 Annual Operational Plan, which will serve as the operational framework for implementing Kogi State’s health priorities and programmes throughout 2027.