As part of measures to strengthen prevention and early detection of major health risks, the National Council on Health (NCH) on Friday approved the reduction of voluntary HIV testing to 14 years and also adopted a new national Sodium Reduction Regulations.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom, announced the decision on Friday while reading the communiqué of the 66th National Council on Health (NCH), that held in Calabar, Cross River State.
The NCH, comprising the Ministers of Health, State Commissioners for Health, Permanent Secretary and other key stakeholders, serves as the highest policy making body on health matters in the country.
Ms Kachollum said the policy change reflects global best practices and responds to the rising need for adolescent-friendly health services in the country.
“The lowering of the age of voluntary HIV/AIDS testing to 14 years, provided the testing adheres to age-appropriate guidelines, follows all necessary due process, includes adequate linkages to care for positive cases, and is implemented in full compliance with extant laws in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation,” she said.
These two measures were among the 20 health policies approved by the Council to strengthen the health system, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
“This Council has taken bold, forward-looking decisions that will strengthen our systems, protect our people and ensure no one is left behind,” Ms. Kachollum said “, the Technical Sessions held from 17th to 18th of November, 2025, and considered 92 memoranda. 47 from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 44 from the State Commissioners for Health and FCT Secretary of Health, and one from the DSS.’’ Permanent Secretary stated.
The Council also approved the 2025 National Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening, which all states must implement within six months with technical support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
It further approved the National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), giving the Federal Ministry of Health the mandate to establish a National Digital Health Transformation Office.
She urged states and LGAs to align their data systems with the new national digital framework.
To strengthen emergency response, the Council also adopted the National Chemical Event Surveillance system, the National Community CPR Initiative, and a framework for integrating oxygen gas piping as a compulsory infrastructure requirement for new secondary and tertiary hospitals.
Other approved policies include the National Policy on food-handling medical test guidelines and the institutionalisation of the National Clinical Mentorship Programme to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
On the implementation of resolutions, Ms Kachollum observed that performance across states fell below expectations and urged them to step up efforts.
“Council is deeply concerned about the poor execution of previous resolutions .We have now mandated quarterly monitoring and clearer communication channels to ensure every state delivers on the commitments made here in Calabar, ”she said.
