By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Coordinating Minister, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate has reiterated his commitment to strengthen and sustain the welfare and development of the Ministry’s workforce.
Pate gave this commitment recently at a Town Hall Meeting with the Management and Staff of the Ministry in Abuja.
According to the minister, the aim of the meeting was to have a conversation on the challenges and issues facing staff at their workplace in order to chart a way forward.
Pate during an interface with the participants commended the achievements of the ministry, adding that “which would not have been possible if the staff were not hardworking, focused, consistent and dedicated.”
The Town hall meeting provided an interactive session where staff had the opportunity to engage the management in questions and constructive answers.
The minister urged the staff to be more committed in their service delivery, noting that the new administration has a listening ear and would do everything within its powers and available resources to improve the welfare of staff.
Pate said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me to lead this ministry with you but it is what you do with collaborative courage and integrity, that would change the culture of history of health care for Nigerians.
He also implored the staff to be proactive with ideas and innovations that would move the ministry forward, improve health outcomes, restore the credibility and prestige of the Health Sector.
In the area of unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain Initiative, the minister state that, it is a scheme that is time bound (a period of 2 years) and involves cross ministerial collaboration that enable for medical transformation with clear target requiring public – private sector partnership for improved healthcare service outcomes.
Earlier, the Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa stated that the ministry is collaborating with health partners and stakeholders to overhaul and transform the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
” It is not what we are doing alone but what we are doing collectively and the President is giving the health sector maximum support as he is approving highest budgetary allocation for health care.”
Alausa commended the staff for their dedication and commitment of the Ministry’s Union and Staff, the Permanent Secretary said that efforts are made to ensure that the entire staff works together with the Ministers to achieve the mandate of the Ministry.