Benue moves to strengthen health financing with inaugural resource mobilization meeting

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with APIN Public Health Initiatives, has convened a high-level Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) and Sustainability Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting aimed at sustainable healthcare financing in the state.

The meeting brought together senior government officials, development partners, and representatives of key agencies to chart a path toward strengthening domestic funding and ensuring the continuity of critical health programmes amid declining donor support.

Declaring the session open, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Ogwuche Ejeh Paul, commended participants for their commitment and apologized for the delayed start due to logistical challenges.

He praised APIN and other stakeholders for their continued support and innovation in sustaining healthcare services in Benue State despite shrinking external funding.

Dr. Ogwuche emphasized the need for service integration and the development of alternative funding strategies to guarantee access to quality healthcare for residents.

He noted that the Technical Working Group was carefully constituted based on members’ expertise and capacity to deliver results.

According to him, the TWG is tasked with identifying potential funding sources, developing resource mobilization strategies, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization.

He urged members to collaborate effectively and think strategically, stressing that the group must deliver on its mandate to help the state navigate financial challenges in the health sector.

The Commissioner expressed optimism that the initiative would drive innovative solutions for sustainable healthcare financing.

In goodwill messages, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the DRM agenda, highlighting collaboration, innovation, and accountability as critical pillars for long-term success.

The meeting also marked the inaugural session of the Technical Working Group, signaling the formal commencement of its operations.

Technical sessions featured presentations on resource mobilization strategies, sustainability planning, and stakeholder coordination.

Participants explored practical approaches to identifying funding opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing monitoring and accountability frameworks.

The workshop concluded with a summary of key resolutions and next steps, with stakeholders pledging continued collaboration to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare financing system in Benue State.

The meeting is seen as a significant step in the state’s efforts to boost domestic resource mobilization and ensure uninterrupted access to essential health services.