By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate has said that the Federal Government is committed to revitalize the healthcare sector and to ensure all Nigerians have access to Universal Health Coverage, in line with the Renewed Hope Medical Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
Prof. Pate representing Mr. President urged professional bodies in the health sector to support the government in achieving this goal.
He made this call when the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, National President , Professor Bala Mohammed Audu led his team on a courtesy visit to the minister in his office.
Prof. Pate stated that the President’s strategic initiatives in the health sector is aimed at addressing critical challenges, such as increasing training quotas for healthcare pre-service training, streamlining recruitment procedures for health professionals, and implementing policies to retain healthcare workers.
According to him, efforts are underway to enhance health infrastructure, expand diagnostics and cancer care facilities, and strengthen primary health care in collaboration with State Governments, in addition to capturing the vulnerable groups through the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIA, to enable access to healthcare.
“The President remains deeply committed to advancing healthcare in a dignified work environment for the Nigerian health workforce.”
“We understand the challenges and remain focused on improving the quality of healthcare services for Nigerians. We appreciate all health workers who are striving despite the obvious challenges we are facing as a country.”
However, the challenges are not insurmountable, as long as we keep the interest of Nigerians at heart and approach each other constructively”, the Minister stated
The NMA President Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, pledged the support of the Association to the ongoing reforms within the health sector, aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery across the country.
Audu said, “We fully support Mr., President’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to improving quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria through the provision of Universal Health Coverage to improve the health indices of our population.”
The NMA President used the occasion to urge the government to give full implementation of the National Policy on Health as it affects the health professionals for the betterment of health seeking Nigerians.
