Section 2 National Health Act

Section 2 National Health Act 2014 is about Functions of the Federal Ministry of Health. It is under Part I (Responsibility for Health and Eligibility for Health Services and Establishment of National Health System) of the Act.

(1) The Federal Ministry of Health shall—

(a) ensure the development of national health policy and issue guidelines for its implementation ;

(b) collaborate with the states and local governments to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are set up for the implementation of national health policy ;
(c) collaborate with national health departments in other countries and international agencies ;
(d) promote adherence to norms and standards for the training of human resources for health ;

(e) ensure the continuous monitoring, evaluation and analysis of health status and performance of the functions of all aspects of the National Health System ;
(f ) co-ordinate health and medical services delivery during national disasters ;
(g) participate in inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial collaboration ;
(h) conduct and facilitate health systems research in the planning, evaluation and management of health services ;

(i) ensure the provision of tertiary and specialized hospital services ;
(j) ensure and promote the provision of Quarantine and Port Health Services ;
(k) determine the minimum data required to monitor the status and use of resources ;
(l) promote availability of good quality, safe and affordable essential drugs, medical commodities, hygienic food and water ; and
(m) issue guidelines and ensure the continuous monitoring, analysis and good use of drugs and poisons including medicines and medical devices.

(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing functions, the Federal Ministry of Health shall—
(a) prepare strategic, medium term health and human resources plans annually for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this Act ;
(b) ensure that the national health plans referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall form the basis of —
(i) the annual budget proposal as required by the Federal Ministry of Finance, and
(ii) other governmental planning exercises as may be required by any other law ;

(c) ensure that the national health plans shall comply with national health policy ; and
(d) ensure the preparation and presentation of an annual report of the state of health of Nigerians and the National Health System to the President and the National Assembly.

(3) The Federal Ministry of Health shall, where necessary, provide to State Ministries of Health—
(a) technical assistance in the development of state health policies and plans ;

(b) commodities and technical materials, including methodologies, policies and standards for use in programme implementation including monitoring and evaluation ; and
(c) other technical assistance as may be necessary.

(4) The Minister shall supervise the departments and parastatals of the Ministry to enable him carry out the functions assigned to the Ministry by this or any other Act.