11 Functions Of The Federal Ministry Of Health, Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Health remained one of the numerous Federal Ministries in Nigeria. The purpose to which the federal ministry of health was established was to assist in the formulation of policies related to health, as well as,  implementing these policies.

The federal ministry of health is headed and supervised by a Minister, and the Minister is appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Whoever is the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health is assisted by a Permanent Secretary. The Permanent Secretary is not an appointee, but a career civil servant.

Functions Of Federal Ministry Of Health

The federal ministry of health in Nigeria saddled with a number of functions targeted towards actualizing the mandate of the federal ministry.

In this article, I am going to outline on a number of there functions and explain same for you to have a better understanding of the functions of the federal ministry of health here in Nigeria.

Nonetheless, by the virtue of the 2006 provisions of the Health Sector Reform Law,  the federal ministry of health is saddled with the following functions:

1. Formulates And Legislates Health Policy And Plan

One function of the federal ministry of health is to ensure that, health policy and health plan are formulated. The federal ministry of health is expected also to make sure that these policies and plans are legislated in the most appropriate way in order to achieve the goals and objects of the federal ministry.

2. The Federal Ministry Of Health Regulates Functions

Another function of the federal ministry of health is to regulate functions. Its function at this level is not limited to function regulations, it goes beyond that, it include, quality assurance, such as setting of standards for the ministry personnel, and health facilities and health infrastructure.

Services for the registration of public and registration of private health agencies operating within Nigeria also included, plus evaluation of functions and monitoring of activities.

3. Federal Ministry Of Health Develops And Implements Strategies For Health Sector

The above is one of the functions of the federal ministry of health. The federal ministry health is saddled with the responsibility of developing and implementing strategies related to the health sector.

The function of the federal ministry of health has however, gone beyond development and implemention of health strategies.

It function also include the promotion of PPP, that is, Public Private Partnership in health sector with a view to boost health care delivery in the country.

4. Develops Capacity For Generating And Utilizing Of Evidence-Based Data And Information

One of the functions of the federal ministry of health is to develop capacity for the purpose of generating evidence-based data and evidence-based information for health policy.

Once such data and information is generated, the federal ministry of health has to utilize the data and the information of the health policy properly, and as well, strategize plans for development and implementation of the policy.

And this singular function of the federal ministry of health has called for proper management of information system in the health sector.

5. The Federal Ministry Of Health Undertakes Manpower Development

Every ministry, organization and department that desires to increase productivity must endeavour to upgrade the skills and knowledge of its personnel.

The federal ministry of health is not exempted regarding this development. That is why the federal ministry of health deemed it fit to ensure that staff under its employ are undergone training with a view to upgrade their skills and knowledge in order to catch up with the current way of carrying out their work, as well as, being acquainted with the current technological trend.

Such training programme covers, medical, and nursing. Allied training institutions and planning are taking into consideration, plus enhancement of human capital, and administrative personnel, and enhancement of financial management capacity as well as, other professions that relates to health care delivery.

6. The Federal Ministry Of Health Supervises And Controls Health Facilities

The supervision and the control of every health care facilities is the function of the federal ministry of health. The purpose of this supervision and the control of health facilities is simply to make sure that a minimum standard in private and public health care facilities is maintained. The is one of the major functions of the federal ministry of health.

7. Supervises Hospital Governing Boards, Government Health Agencies, Etc.

Another function of the federal ministry of health is to supervise, as well as control everyone of the Hospital Governing Board, every government Organization and ever government Agency.

The reason here is very important, since these government organizations and agencies must have to work in line with the laid down rules and regulations, related to quality health care delivery.

8. The Federal Ministry Of Health Approves Health Regulations

The  approval of all the regulations related to health care, including that of the subsidiary legislation is actually, one of the functions of the federal ministry of health.

Until such regulations and legislation is approved by the federal ministry of health, such regulations cannot be bound on the health care personnel.

9. Develops Guidelines For Management And Standard For Performance

This is another function of the federal ministry of health. This function has to do with the development of management guidelines, and financial financial guidelines.

Developing standards for performance is also part of the function of the federal ministry of health. This effort on the part of the health ministry is to help in controlling of the public hospitals internally.

10. Recommends Capital And Operating Budgets For Hospital Governing Boards

The federal ministry of health also saddled with the responsibility of making recommendations for both capital and operating budgets, mainly for the Hospitals Governing Boards.

This however, include recommendation, where there is say, major adjustments, as well as, increase in salaries, plus allowances and fringe benefits accruing for  those under the hospital employ.

Evaluation of the quality of health practices particularly, in the professional disciplines remained one of the functions of the federal ministry of health.

This is done through the advancement of the most appropriate standards, including research priorities. This particular function on the part of the federal ministry of health is very important, since it will help maintained proficiency in the profession.

There are several functions assigned to the federal ministry of health nonetheless, I have been kind to explain these particular numbers in this article.