Nasarawa Sets Up Panels to Organize National Health Council Gathering

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The Nasarawa State Government has constituted 12 sub-committees to oversee preparations for the upcoming 76th Regular National Council on Health meeting scheduled to hold in Lafia in November 2026.

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Speaking at the inauguration of the committees on Friday in Lafia, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, said the event would bring together health professionals and stakeholders from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

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Gwamna, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Central Working Committee, added that the National Council on Health meeting is the highest decision-making body for deliberating on key health policies and programmes, noting that part of its role is to take decisions aimed at improving the sector.

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He explained that although the meeting is scheduled for November 2026, the state decided to set up the 12 sub-committees early to enable them prepare adequately for logistics, security, accommodation, publicity, and medical services in order to ensure a smooth and successful hosting.

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He said, “The National Council on Health is a high-level platform where critical decisions on healthcare delivery are made.

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“The National Council on Health meeting is typically convened annually to review progress and set directions for health programmes, and our state has been given the hosting rights for 2026.

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“Nasarawa State is committed to providing a conducive environment for robust discussions and outcomes that will benefit the health sector nationwide.”

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The commissioner further noted that hosting the meeting presents an opportunity to showcase the state’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and attract further collaboration with federal agencies and development partners.

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Gwamna, therefore, appreciated Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for his support and approval to host the meeting and assured that the state would outperform previous hosts of the event.

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On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Alhassan, said members of the committees were drawn from various ministries as well as federal and state agencies in the state.

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The permanent secretary further said members of the various committees were carefully selected based on their expertise and experience to deliver on their assigned responsibilities.

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Responding on behalf of the committees, the Chief Medical Director of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr Egdego Egba, expressed gratitude to the ministry for choosing them to serve in various capacities and promised to make the state proud.

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