ABUJA – Nigeria’s healthcare system is at a crossroads, facing formidable challenges that demand a transformative response. Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, sounded a clarion call during a three-day Ministerial Briefing held from September 7 to 9, 2023, in Abuja.
In his opening address, Pate didn’t mince words, highlighting glaring issues plaguing the healthcare landscape. Instances of critical delays in medical attention, maternal deaths, and the disturbingly high infant mortality rate have painted a bleak picture of the nation’s health sector.
“We find ourselves in a perplexing situation,” Pate lamented. “We’re pouring more resources into healthcare than neighboring Niger Republic, Ethiopia, and Ghana. Yet, our outcomes don’t align with our investments. There’s a systemic flaw that urgently needs rectification. This is precisely why our President has mandated this sector to undergo a radical transformation with a focus on innovation.”
Additionally, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State, pointed out that despite previous transitions, including retreats and workshops, the healthcare system is still a far cry from what Nigeria envisions for its citizens in 2023.
“We must acknowledge that we are yet to attain the healthcare standards we desire,” Alausa emphasized. “President Bola Tinubu has made a solemn commitment to the citizens, vowing to overhaul the health sector. His mandate to Prof. Pate and myself is clear: effect comprehensive change in the health sector. We must be honest about our progress thus far and chart a new path forward.”
Dr. Salma Anas, the Special Adviser on Health to the President, echoed the government’s determination to translate health policies into concrete actions that would revamp the health sector and bring about positive change in people’s lives.
In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni underscored the vital role that the Ministry, alongside agencies and departments, plays in ensuring the health and well-being of every Nigerian citizen. She affirmed their unwavering dedication to this noble cause.
The retreat serves as a vital platform where healthcare leaders come together to exchange invaluable insights and collectively chart the course for a brighter future in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
Source: News Agencies