The Nigeria National Centre of AHOP (Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria) held a two-day inaugural with their three National AHOP Partners- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Veritas University Abuja and the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), from 02-03 December 2020. The AHOP concept, goals and objectives were shared with the partners. The partners also shared their previous and on-going experiences of generating Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) evidence and getting research into Policy and Practice (GRIPP). This was followed by a brainstorming session, to propose tasks in the next steps to generate evidence with a focus on Universal Health Coverage. Partners committed to, in the first instance, developing a clear institutional framework for engaging with AHOP over the project period and beyond, identifying current strengths, weaknesses, and ideas for further capacity building. The Nigeria NC is happy to have been able to eventually hold this meeting, which was originally scheduled for April, 2020 but cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Present at the meeting were:
Obinna Onwujekwe – Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Benjamin Uzochukwu – Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Enyi Etiaba – Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Chinyere Mbachu – Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Chinyere Okeke – Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Chikezie Ifeanyi – Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria
Olushola Oluwatosin – Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria
Adewale Ojogbede – NIMR
Babatunde Adewale – NIMR
Ajuba Miriam – APHPN
Ugwusina Nwachukwu Chinedu – APHPN
Ossai Edmund – APHPN
It is expected that the partners will work together with the HPRG-UNN to scale up the collection and synthesis of data and information on health policy and system for evidence-based strengthening of Nigeria’s health system. Overall, the aim is to move data and information from the point of rhetoric to policies, strategies, and practices.
