With a focus of attaining outcome targets of the strategic health development plan II (SHDP II) and evolving toward universal health coverage (UHC), the responsiveness of the health sector depends on the capability to guarantee continuity of the essential services. Effectiveness of leadership and governance of health sector departments, agencies, and Parastatals (DAPs) at all levels (tiers) of administration especially in the areas of effective coordination of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of health system goals are the capabilities the health sector largely depends upon for the continuity of essential healthcare services. A functional sector-wide planning cell hosted by the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) is crucial to strengthening these capabilities and institutionalizing integrated health system planning, implementation, and M&E.
The approach, which is intended to enhance participation, ownership, comprehensiveness, and sustainability in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases aims to move the Nigerian health system toward the goal of ONE FRAMEWORK, ONE PLAN AND ONE M&E. The establishment and functionality of health sector planning cells (HSPCs) at the State, LGA and Community levels, and their effective vertical join-ups are therefore crucial to fulfilling this goal.
CHECOD through FCDO LAFIYA program supported Kano, Jigawa and Yobe States to activate their Planning Cell and develop terms of reference to enable the development of outputs promptly to inform planning, budgeting, and M&E timelines. In addition, CHECOD supported development of annual operational plans in 5 states and strategic plan during the development of National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) II in 17 states.