The coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, has emphasised the importance of a comprehensive Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), saying this will provide insights into healthcare needs that will enable the effective allocation of resources in the country.
Pate who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ms. Daju Kachollom, stated this in Abuja at the National Launch of the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) added that the survey will also enable Nigeria to invest in initiatives that promote health and well-being that will foster economic advancement.
According to him, understanding the nation’s demographic and health indicators is crucial in enhancing economic development strategies with healthier citizens contributing significantly to a more productive workforce, thereby fostering economic growth.
“This eighth edition of the NDHS does not only aim to serve as a collection of statistics; rather, it represents a profound step to understanding the health landscape as well as providing the baseline against which we can measure our performance. It symbolizes our collective resolve to equip ourselves with the knowledge necessary to craft targeted policies and interventions that will uplift the lives of our people.
“This survey is a testament to our commitment to leaving no one behind. By capturing data across diverse segments of society, including marginalized and vulnerable populations, the NDHS will illuminate disparities in healthcare access and utilization. This knowledge will enable us to implement inclusive policies that address the unique needs of every individual, ensuring that the benefits of our programs reach all corners of our nation,” he said.
The Minister further stressed that the NDHS if implemented will serve as a useful tool to actualize the overall goal on health and monitor the progress made on improving the health outcome of the population through providing reliable and quality data on health indices.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, said the survey provides insights that informs evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation.
Also represented by Benedict Ukpong, one of the National Commissioners of the NPC, Kwara noted that the commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS for three decades, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, and key partners.
He said the data collected will represent the health, aspirations, and challenges of Nigerian communities, noting that for over three decades, the Commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS, in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, and key partners.
“This survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation.
“Together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria,” he urged.
