Health policymakers, legislators, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders are expected to meet in Abuja in October to discuss how Nigeria can bridge the gap between health policies and their implementation.

The stakeholders will meet at the 2026 National Health Equity Conference scheduled for 13 to 15 October at the Nigeria National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja.

The conference, organised by OneBarrow International Limited, will focus on the theme, “From Policy to Impact: Care Coordination as the Core Engine of Health Equity.”

According to the organisers, the meeting will examine how stronger coordination across different levels of the healthcare system can improve access to care, quality of services and continuity of treatment.

The conference is expected to bring together policymakers, legislators, healthcare regulators, development partners, professional bodies, healthcare practitioners, civil society organisations, patient and community groups, academics and private sector representatives.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, is listed as the Chief Host, while the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Amos Magaji, and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, are expected to attend as Special Guests of Honour.

Policy implementation

The Chief Executive Officer of OneBarrow International Limited, Yemi Ajao, said the conference would focus on how existing health policies and frameworks could be translated into action.

“​​Nigeria has developed important health policies and frameworks, but the real test is what happens when those policies reach the people and communities they are designed to serve,” Mr Ajao said.

He said the conference would examine implementation across the federal, state and local government levels, as well as collaboration among healthcare professionals.

According to him, better coordination among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, health administrators and other professionals could help reduce fragmentation in healthcare delivery.

“Every healthcare cadre has a unique and complementary role to play. The patient experiences the health system as one system, regardless of how many professionals or institutions are involved in their care,” he said.

He added that stronger referral systems, communication and accountability would be important to improving coordination within the health system.

Health equity

The organisers said health equity would be another major focus of the conference, particularly the effect of poor coordination on people who face barriers to accessing healthcare.

The meeting will also consider the role of technology, data and citizen participation in improving accountability in healthcare.

Issues expected to be discussed include digital feedback mechanisms, transparency, access to health information and awareness of patients’ rights.

Mr Ajao said citizens should have channels through which they can provide feedback on healthcare services and participate in discussions about the quality of care.

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“Citizens must understand their rights, have meaningful channels to provide feedback and be empowered to participate in conversations about the quality of care they receive,” he said.

Expected outcome

The organisers said the conference would produce a post conference communiqué and an implementation roadmap containing recommendations and commitments from participants.

They said the roadmap would be used to support policy implementation, track commitments and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.

The organisers said the meeting would seek to move discussions beyond identifying problems to developing practical actions that can be implemented across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Passengers using TinCity Metro buses in Plateau State will be required to wear face masks from Tuesday as authorities intensify efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak that has killed at least 23 people.

The management of Plateau Express Services Group, which operates the state-owned mass transit service, announced a “no face mask, no entry” policy in a statement issued on Monday.

The directive takes effect on Tuesday, 8 September, and will remain in force until further notice.

“The Management of Plateau Express Services Group has directed the enforcement of a ‘No Face Mask, No Entry’ policy on all TinCity Metro buses, effective Tuesday, 8th September 2026, until further notice,” the statement said.

TinCity Metro buses operate across the Jos metropolis and neighbouring local government areas, including Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bassa, providing daily transportation for residents within and around the state capital.

The management said a limited number of face masks would be provided at designated boarding points to ease the implementation of the directive.

However, it advised commuters to bring their own masks, warning that available supplies might not be sufficient for everyone.

The company also urged passengers to comply with the directive and cooperate with its personnel when boarding the buses.

“Management appreciates the understanding and cooperation of commuters as we work together to ensure a safer public transport environment,” it said.

The directive comes amid heightened concern over the spread of diphtheria in Plateau State, with health authorities reporting a rising number of suspected cases and deaths.

The state Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, said on Friday that 148 suspected cases had been recorded, with 23 deaths reported in the preceding two weeks.

READ ALSO: Plateau shuts schools over suspected diphtheria outbreak

Eight patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while five others were being treated at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Mr Baamlong said.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people, making crowded public spaces a potential avenue for transmission.

The Plateau State Government has already introduced other measures to contain the outbreak, including the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.

The face-mask requirement on TinCity Metro buses extends the containment measures to public transportation, where thousands of residents travel daily between Jos and neighbouring communities.