President Buhari appoints PDP Governor into crucial position

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as a member of the health sector reform committee. The committee inaugurated by the President on Monday has as its chairman Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Some prominent medical health practitioners like the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, are also members of the committee. The committee was initiated and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, September 6.

According to a statement released by one of President Buhari’s media aides, Garba Shehu, the committee is to develop and implement reforms in the sector. Others in the committee includes the presidents of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Vesta Healthcare Partners will function as observers in the committee. In a statement issued by Shehu, Buhari said the setting up of the committee was sequel to a health sector diagnostic review report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of health.

The committee would undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new health sector reform programme. The committee which is set up for a period of six months under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has members drawn from private and public sector, health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly as well as the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) among others.

Similarly, President Buhari also approved the appointment of Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).