The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health has commenced a five-day meeting to develop and finalize its 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) in line with directives from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
The exercise aims to align state health initiatives, budgets, and policies for improved outcomes.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, commended stakeholders and partners for their dedication to the state’s health development agenda.
He noted that the AOP serves as a roadmap for strategic planning and performance measurement, ensuring that every intervention in 2026 is data-driven and outcome-oriented.
“The Ministry of Health is on a march to success,” Dr. John said. “This planning process helps us identify our priorities, set realistic goals, and design a coordinated approach toward achieving better health outcomes for Akwa Ibom people.”
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Patrick Essiet, also emphasized that the AOP process provides an opportunity for introspection and collaboration among health institutions, development partners, and programme heads.
He urged participants to reflect on achievements and identify critical gaps that need attention.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) described the AOP as a vital tool for aligning state health policies with national and global health goals.
They also encouraged data-driven monitoring and stronger accountability systems.
Head of Strategic Planning at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwunonso Egbusi, called for total commitment to the exercise, stressing the need to deliver a high-quality, evidence-based plan that would ensure measurable results and sustainable improvements in health services across the state.
The five-day meeting, which brings together health officials, directors, and partners, will produce Akwa Ibom’s final 2026 Health Implementation Framework — a key guide for policy execution and budget allocation in the coming year.
