By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The new coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Minister Professor Ali Pate has promised that under his watch the ministry would implement health sector friendly policies to stall medical tourism, enhance the standard of the Nigerian health sector and improve the healthy lives of Nigerians.
Prof. Pate made this known at a welcome reception ceremony held for him and the Minister of State for health, Tunji Alausa at the Ministry’s Headquarters on Monday in Abuja.
Pate said, “I will work with my brother, the Minister of State and everybody to actualize the vision and mandate of President Bola Tinubu.”
He noted that the selection of Ministers for the Health Ministry by the President indicates that he considers the people as the bases and foundational element of his administration.
The Minister said, “my tenure will enhance the welfare, health and well-being of the people since they are inter-connected right from gestation to early childhood to adulthood and to the elderly all across life circle”.
He assured that the duties and obligations of the Health Ministry in the area of stabilizing, reducing pain, whether physical pain or financial protection would be addressed so that people will actually begin to feel the impact of the administration on their lives.
The Minister said that he is ready to work with the Minister of State, Staff of the Ministry, other Agencies and stakeholders to shape and the Nigerian Health forward.
Meanwhile, he further emphasized his readiness to work with health actors,parastatals, hospitals, states and private sectors in improving the standard of healthcare, in order to stall oversea medical tourism.
Also, the Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa commended the management and staff of the Ministry for the warm reception while asserting that health care covers not only hospitals but physical health, social security, national security and others.
According to Alausa , people deserve basic comprehensive internationally acceptable healthcare services, adding that they are determined to achieve this feat to improve lives.
He opined that the President has been very deliberative in the way he has chosen his cabinet members, reiterating the Presidents statement that “he is the driver, the Ministers are driving with him and the entire 250 million Nigerians are in the car, we cannot afford to fail.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom gave assurance that the Ministers and the Staff of the Ministry are determined to give their unalloyed support to ensure they succeed.
She promised the ministry will provide the administrative expertise that will move the health sector forward”.
