
27/08/2025
AKS MINISTRY OF HEALTH SET TO IMPLEMENT A UNIFIED STATE AOP.. Holds a two-day meeting with stakeholders and implementing partners
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, held a two-day meeting with stakeholders and implementing partners at the Ministry's Conference Room.
The event, which began on Monday, brought together key health stakeholders and partners from World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children Education Funds (UNICEF), Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Heartland Alliance Ltd./GTE (HALG), Data for Implementation (Data-FI), Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research, Nigeria (CCCRN), Marie Stopes International (MSI), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Helen Keller International (HKI), Care Life Foundation (CLF), KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) to deliberate on and adopt the unified State Annual Operational Plan (AOP), ensuring that their 2026 budgets, plans, and activities align with the AOP.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, commended the partners for their continued support and collaboration in strengthening the state’s health system. He appealed to them to structure their plans, budgets, and activities in line with the unified State AOP, stressing that “with one plan, one budget, and one report, we can achieve great feats.” He further applauded the partners for their dedication, commitment, and active participation.
The Commissioner also encouraged all partners to invest in providing medical equipment for health facilities to meet the pressing health needs of the people.
"With one voice, we can work towards uplifting the lives of our people and, in turn, transform the health sector in the state," he added.
During his presentation, the Technical Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ashiru Abubakar, highlighted the vertical and horizontal challenges that impede the implementation of health policies, including lack of coordination. He proposed a unified budget and resources to strengthen governance, emphasizing the need for effective use of feedback to respond to the health needs of Nigerians. He further stressed the importance of improving health coverage and making health products available to meet the needs of the people.
Dr. Abubakar noted that unifying the health system through the AOP would reduce complexities, adding that pooled resources would be better coordinated and implemented to reach priority areas and reduce maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS prevalence, and other core health challenges.
“With one plan, one budget, and one conversation, the gaps identified by the Federal Government will shape the plans and structure of implementing health projects to fill such gaps,” he said.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Patrick Essiet, commended the initiative of unifying the 2026 Annual Operational Plan. He stated that its goal is to sustain pragmatic and effective healthcare delivery and promote a robust health sector for the benefit of the people of the state.
Presenting the objectives of the meeting, the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Etop Antia, outlined that the unified AOP would help identify gaps and create opportunities to close them. He emphasized the need to develop a robust AOP aligned with the ARISE Health Agenda of the Governor-led administration, applauding the initiative as one that will address health issues in the state and improve efficiency.
The event concluded today with presentations from all the partners, showcasing their 2026 plans, challenges encountered so far, and notable achievements.
Info/PR Unit
Ministry of Health