The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has launched the National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Strategic Plan (2024 – 2028) aimed at improving the health, well-being, and productivity of employees across the country.
Speaking during the launch of the document on Tuesday in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said that the development has opened a new vista for the implementation of occupational health and safety services in Nigeria.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Prof. Pate highlighted that the strategic plan will guide how the Nigerian health sector, alongside its stakeholders, responds to and manages work-related diseases, injuries, and accidents. This, he said, is essential for improving the health, well-being, and productivity of employees.
He stated, “The development of this strategy has necessitated the need to take stock of past experiences and continue building on what has been achieved while pushing for wider and more concrete ownership of OHS by the Nigerian Government through the health sector, at national and sub-national levels.”
Prof. Pate added that the strategic plan is designed to address significant challenges and meet strategic objectives through activities and instruments that will be deployed, and it aligns with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint in achieving a healthy workforce.
He continued, “This strategic plan document addresses significant challenges and strategic objectives through activities and instruments that will be deployed and it aligns with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint in achieving a healthy workforce.”
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Prof. Pate also emphasized the importance of international collaboration and alignment with global standards: “The key international target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); including International Labour Organisation (ILO) and WHO: conventions, treaties, policies, visions, missions and recommendations as well as National Acts and Laws which relate to Occupational Health and Safety at the National and Sub-National levels.”
However, he stressed that for the effective implementation of the plan, government at all levels, partners, donors, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), philanthropists, and other stakeholders must work together to mobilize the required resources.
He noted that the estimated cost of executing the plan’s activities over the next five years is about N1.34 billion.
Prof. Pate concluded by assuring stakeholders of accountable and responsive leadership in the implementation of the five-year strategic plan: “Prof. Pate assured of accountable and responsive leadership in the implementation of the five-year strategic plan.”
