NPC PROPOSES INNOVATIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS AT 65TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON HEALTH MEETING

In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, fnsa, presented two key memos at the 65th National Council on Health meeting held today at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The memos introduced groundbreaking initiatives: "Innovations in Digital Health: Integration of VitalReg with District Health Information System" and "Empowering Communities for Better Health Outcomes: Utilizing the CRVS System to Enhance Health Promotion and Engagement." These proposals aim to leverage technology to improve health services and promote community engagement across the nation.

NPC's Director-General, Dr. Osifo Tellson Ojogun, while making the presentation on behalf of the NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra articulated the Commission's commitment to revolutionizing healthcare delivery and accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. "This memorandum outlines the NPC’s dedication to integrating the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system with the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare services across the nation," he stated.

He emphasized that the integration of these systems would not only streamline birth registration but also enhance data coverage, improve cause-of-death reporting, and strengthen identity management across Nigeria. "The CRVS system provides a comprehensive framework for engaging communities and promoting proactive health behaviours," he noted.

The NPC Chairman urged the Council to approve the nationwide integration of the DHIS2 as a notification system into the VitalReg platform, which would facilitate faster and more reliable birth and death registrations in hospitals, ultimately improving services provided by the NPC to the health systems.

However, while the Council adopted and approved the first memo, the second memo was stepped down for further consultation.

The 65th National Council on Health meeting, themed "Achieving Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success," brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria's healthcare sector, underscoring the collective effort required to enhance health outcomes and access for all Nigerians.

As Chairman of NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra has been instrumental in driving reforms and innovations, including the launch of the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (e-CRVS) and Geo-spatial Data Repository. His vision for a digital and transformative NPC is aligned with Nigeria's efforts to leverage technology for improved healthcare outcomes.