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Tag: Prof. Ali Pate

  • Pate: maternal deaths dropped in 172 high-burden local govts

    Pate: maternal deaths dropped in 172 high-burden local govts

    The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said the nation had recorded a 17-per cent decline in maternal deaths.

    The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality across the country.

    Pate noted that though the progress was not enough, considering the country’s population, it was a remarkable improvement in the quest to eradicate the scourge.

    “In the last two years, there have been some signs of early improvement, but a lot more is ahead of us. Maternal mortality rate in most of our local government areas has reduced by 17 per cent, according to recent data, and newborn deaths have also dropped by 10 per cent. 

    “But that’s not enough, considering the size of our country and the depth of our problem,” he said.

    Pate spoke yesterday in Abuja at the unveiling of three major initiatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) aimed at improving nutrition, strengthening public health systems, and combating substandard and falsified medicines.

    The minister described the improvement as encouraging but cautioned that much more needed to be done, given Nigeria’s population size and persistent health challenges.

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    He described malnutrition as a major contributor to child deaths, stressing that the new Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health + Nutrition (MNCH+N) initiative would ensure that expectant mothers, newborns, and young children have access to essential nutrition and health products.

    “This effort will contribute to improving maternal and child survival because families will have access to quality products when they need them,” Pate said.

    The minister also lauded the launch of the National Action Plan on the Prevention, Detection, and Response to Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, describing it as crucial to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    According to him, substandard medicines fuel antimicrobial resistance, undermine public confidence, and cost lives.

    Pate praised NAFDAC for maintaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Maturity Level 3 regulatory status, which confirms Nigeria’s strong oversight capacity for medical product quality.

    NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the three initiatives marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly for women and children who remain the most vulnerable.

    “These efforts reflect NAFDAC’s vision, a vision where no mother dies from preventable causes, no child suffers from malnutrition, and no patient is harmed by falsified medical products,” Adeyeye said.

    She called for stronger collaboration among development partners, private sector actors, and civil society to ensure that access to safe medicines, adequate nutrition, and quality healthcare becomes a guaranteed right for every Nigerian.

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC, Regina Akume, described the launch as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance maternal and child health and nutrition.

    “This renewed focus is both timely and essential as it reinforces our national commitment to safeguarding mothers and children, ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, every child is healthy, and every family can thrive,” she said.

    The WHO Country Office, represented by the Supply Chain Management Officer at UNICEF Nigeria, Omotayo Hamzat, described NAFDAC’s initiatives as evidence of the agency’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians”.

    Hamzat said the action plan would strengthen interagency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and rapid response mechanisms to ensure every medicine and vaccine in circulation meets quality and safety standards.

    Mrs. Rodio Diallo of the Gates Foundation also applauded the initiative, describing it as vital to protecting the health and well-being of women and newborns.

  • FG, NAFDAC double down on maternal deaths, malnutrition, fake drugs with three new initiatives

    FG, NAFDAC double down on maternal deaths, malnutrition, fake drugs with three new initiatives

    By Dele Anofi and Haggai Daniel, Abuja

    The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality, revealing that Nigeria has recorded a 17 percent decline in deaths among women during childbirth.

    The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said that though the progress is not enough considering the country’s population, it is a remarkable improvement in the quest to eradicate the scourge.

    “In the last two years, there have been some signs of early improvement, but a lot more is ahead of us. Maternal mortality rate in most of our local government areas has reduced by 17 percent, according to recent data, and newborn deaths have also dropped by 10 percent. 

    “But that’s not enough considering the size of our country and the depth of our problem,” he said.

    Pate spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the unveiling of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) three major initiatives aimed at improving nutrition, strengthening public health systems, and combating substandard and falsified medicines.

    According to Pate, recent data from 172 local government areas show a 17 percent decline in maternal mortality and a 10 percent reduction in newborn deaths over the past two years.

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    While describing the improvement as encouraging, he cautioned that much more needs to be done given Nigeria’s population size and persistent health challenges.

    Pate identified malnutrition as a major contributor to child deaths, noting that the new Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health + Nutrition (MNCH+N) Initiative would ensure pregnant women, newborns, and young children have access to essential nutrition and health products.

    “This effort will contribute to improving maternal and child survival because families will have access to quality products when they need them,” he said.

    He also commended the launch of the National Action Plan on the Prevention, Detection, and Response to Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, describing it as crucial to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    According to him, substandard medicines fuel antimicrobial resistance, undermine public confidence, and cost lives.

    Pate praised NAFDAC for maintaining the World Health Organization’s Maturity Level 3 regulatory status, which confirms Nigeria’s strong oversight capacity for medical product quality.

    He stressed that improving health outcomes requires collective effort from government, development partners, the private sector, professional bodies, and communities.

    Hon. Regina Akume, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC, described the launch as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance maternal and child health and nutrition.

    “This renewed focus is both timely and essential as it reinforces our national commitment to safeguarding mothers and children, ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, every child is healthy, and every family can thrive,” she said.

    Akume commended NAFDAC for establishing the Office for Women and Children’s Health (NOWCH), which she said will serve as a platform for promoting inclusive health policies and coordinating programmes addressing the needs of women and children.

    She also lauded the National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products as a strategic framework that will ensure only safe and effective medical products reach Nigerians.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, represented by Omotayo Hamzat, Supply Chain Management Officer at UNICEF Nigeria, described NAFDAC’s initiatives as evidence of the agency’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians.”

    Hamzat said the action plan would strengthen interagency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and rapid response mechanisms to ensure every medicine and vaccine in circulation meets quality and safety standards.

    “Protecting mothers and children is not only a moral imperative but the foundation of national development,” he said, commending NAFDAC’s leadership and partnership with WHO and other development agencies.

    Mrs. Rodio Diallo of the Gates Foundation also applauded the initiative, describing it as vital to protecting the health and well-being of women and newborns.

    Warning that substandard medicines undermine public trust and can turn preventable conditions into fatal outcomes, Diallo said, “Each year, Nigeria loses thousands of women to pregnancy-related causes.

    “Behind these figures are families and communities irreversibly changed by preventable losses. Every medicine that reaches a mother’s hand should heal, protect, and save.

    “Safeguarding the quality, safety, and efficacy of maternal and newborn health commodities is synonymous with safeguarding lives.”

    Earlier, NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the three initiatives mark a defining moment in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly for women and children who remain the most vulnerable.

    The MNCH+N Initiative, the Office for Women and Children’s Health (NOWCH), and the National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (2023–2027), she explained, are interconnected pillars designed to strengthen regulation, enhance nutrition, and promote maternal and child safety.

    “These efforts reflect NAFDAC’s vision, a vision where no mother dies from preventable causes, no child suffers from malnutrition, and no patient is harmed by falsified medical products,” Adeyeye said.

    She called for stronger collaboration among development partners, private sector actors, and civil society to ensure that access to safe medicines, adequate nutrition, and quality healthcare becomes a guaranteed right for every Nigerian.

  • Reforms designed to save lives, reduce hardship, ensure equity – Health Minister

    Reforms designed to save lives, reduce hardship, ensure equity – Health Minister

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has emphasised that reforms being carried out by the Federal government in the health sector are aimed at saving lives, reducing financial hardship, and ensuring equitable access to care.

    Speaking on developments since 2023, while appearing on a TVC magazine programme last Thursday, Pate said the health agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu is anchored on improving outcomes while providing financial protection.

    “Nobody should be left behind,” he emphasized, adding that reforms are designed to ensure that access is matched with affordability and equity.

    He noted that Nigerian households still carry a heavy out-of-pocket health burden, making expanded insurance coverage a priority.

    Reforms at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), he said, have raised tariffs for capitation by 95 percent and for secondary services by nearly 300 percent in two years, strengthening the regulator’s capacity.

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    A major shift, Pate explained, was President Tinubu’s directive making health insurance mandatory for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and backed by strict compliance.

    “What it means is that the risk pool is being expanded. We’ll see an accelerated pace of improvement in enrollment,” he said, noting that over the last 18 months, more than four million Nigerians have been enrolled, bringing coverage to 20 million for the first time.

    While acknowledging the long road ahead, Pate described it as a major uptick toward universal coverage, urging the private sector to also insure their workers.

    “A healthy, protected employee is a happy, productive, and loyal employee,” he said, noting that NHIA has developed a digital enrollment portal to ease access.

    The federal government, he added, is subsidizing vulnerable groups, paying ₦15,000 annually for the poor through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and ₦37,000 per enrollee for employees.

    “That allows us to have a risk pool that enables NHIA and others to pay for services, while ensuring access is affordable. The target is to reach at least 44 million Nigerians by 2030, he added.

    According to him, thousands of women have benefited from free cesarean sections and obstetric fistula repairs reimbursed through NHIA.

    In addition, a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund has been created to cushion the cost of illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, and spinal conditions, he explained, noting, “For many households, this is not an abstraction.

    “Families sell assets or borrow when a member falls seriously ill. Government is now putting mechanisms in place to ease that burden”.

    Pate also highlighted NHIA’s strengthened regulatory role, with mechanisms in place for clients to lodge complaints and for Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to be sanctioned where necessary.

    The regulator, he said, ensures providers deliver contracted care packages and reimburse claims promptly.

    On health financing, he recalled that in December 2023, international partners pledged $3.3 billion to support reforms but stressed that domestic funding remains the backbone of Nigeria’s health system.

    “At the end of the day, domestic financing is the key driver,” he said, urging states and the private sector to match federal efforts.

    He described the recent four-day National Health Financing Dialogue as a milestone that brought together over 2,000 participants, including governors, ministers, donors, academics, and civil society.

    The dialogue, he explained, focused on mobilizing and pooling resources, allocating them efficiently, purchasing services wisely, and ensuring accountability.

    According to him, the impact is already visible: “Utilization of primary healthcare services in areas supported by the federal government has increased significantly.

    “In the first quarter of 2025, there were 37 million visits nationwide from January to March, compared to just about 10 million a quarter in 2023. From April to June, the figure rose to 46 million visits,” he disclosed.

    While some of the increase reflects better data capture, Pate stressed it is also evidence that Nigerians are beginning to recognize the benefits of the reforms.

    He noted that health workers have been retrained and commodities are improving, drawing international attention.

    “We have received an entire delegation from the Senegalese Ministry of Health, as well as their Ministries of budget and finance, who came to study Nigeria’s reforms. What the President is doing in Nigeria’s health sector is being noticed across the continent and globally,” he said.

    In oncology, large-scale investments are underway to expand cancer treatment facilities across the country’s geopolitical zones. New oncology centres have been established in Sokoto and reactivated in Maiduguri at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    Similar projects were inaugurated in Katsina, Benin, and Enugu, while two linear accelerators at the National Hospital, Abuja, are being restored under a new service-level agreement with private partners.

    Additionally, he said radiotherapy machines are being deployed at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, and LUTH, where existing capacity is also being expanded.

    “These investments are not only in oncology but also in diagnostics, backed by public sector funding through NSIA’s MEDSA initiative, and complemented by private facilities like Marcelle Ruth in Lagos, which is already attracting patients from across West Africa,” he noted.

    He said to address affordability, the administration linked new facilities with expanded insurance coverage.

    In 2025, President Tinubu approved ₦25 billion for a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund under NHIA, targeted at cancer, kidney failure, and other high-burden conditions.

    NHIA is developing operational mechanisms to deploy the funds, with the Ministry of Finance and Budget providing additional support, he added.

    On dialysis, Pate explained that in 2024, consumables were supplied to eight federal tertiary hospitals to lower the cost of each session from about ₦50,000 to ₦12,000.

    “This is a major reduction that has already benefited many Nigerians,” he said, adding that kidney disease prevention remains crucial, with hypertension and diabetes as the main drivers.

    “The best path forward is prevention, controlling blood pressure and diabetes, early screening, and initiatives like the Know Your Numbers campaign. Waiting until dialysis becomes necessary is not sustainable,” he said.

    Beyond treatment, Pate praised the sacrifices of over 300,000 health workers nationwide, noting that the government has invested in upgrading infrastructure, retraining, and building trust with unions.

    “In the last two years, we have enjoyed relative peace in the sector. We resolved disputes with nurses and doctors through constructive engagement and collective bargaining mechanisms.

    “Many grievances were long-standing, but we’ve worked with unions and leadership to prioritize the Nigerian patient,” he explained.

    “As more revenues flow from economic reforms, we will channel them into financing health. These difficult choices are now translating into visible improvements in oncology, dialysis, insurance, and workforce stability,” Pate said.

  • Minister calls for greater Diaspora engagement in Nigeria’s development

    Minister calls for greater Diaspora engagement in Nigeria’s development

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to go beyond remittances and take a more active role in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the Diaspora Hub App, developed by the African Diaspora Corporation (ADC) in Abuja on Tuesday, Pate encouraged diaspora professionals and investors to leverage their capital, networks, and expertise to address the country’s critical healthcare challenges.

    “This is a defining moment. We need more than money, we need your connections, your innovations, your leadership. You are a powerful force, and it’s time to channel that force toward building a stronger, healthier Nigeria,” he said.

    Pate stressed that while the diaspora has already made substantial contributions through remittances and individual support for family members, the next step is collective, strategic engagement. 

    “Whether it’s attracting investors, supporting the development of diagnostics, biologics, medical devices, or leveraging digital tools like this app, the diaspora must be at the heart of our national health transformation,” he added.

    Pate stressed that by reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive health system but stressed that the diaspora has a unique and urgent role to play.

    “China did it, India did it, and now, Nigeria’s diasporans must rise to do the same. You are the bridge between where we are and where we want to be,” he said.

    He described the launch of the Diaspora Hub App as a concrete example of the kind of forward-thinking intervention the country needs, noting that the platform would enable Nigerians abroad to finance health insurance coverage for loved ones at home, shifting the model from emergency aid to preventive care.

    Stressing the capabilities of Nigerians in Diasporans, Pate cited Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), for his leadership in accelerating reforms in health insurance since returning from the diaspora to take up public service.

    “When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked me to serve, I knew I needed the best minds around me. Dr. Kelechi was one of the first I called. I’m proud of the work he’s doing—it’s innovative, inclusive, and urgently needed,” Pate said.

    According to him, the app and other diaspora-led initiatives are helping to fix a major pillar of the nation’s health system affordability. 

    “They offer risk-pooling mechanisms and unlock new funding sources that directly impact access, especially for vulnerable populations,” he noted.

    Over the past year, health insurance enrollment in Nigeria has surged, thanks to expanded partnerships with state governments and private sector players, he said, adding that sustaining the progress would depend on continued diaspora engagement and investment.

    He also highlighted the broader potential of the App to serve as a multi-sectoral connection point, linking the diaspora not only to healthcare but also to opportunities in agriculture, real estate, and other investment sectors. 

    “This platform symbolizes the kind of innovation that bridges borders and binds us together,” he said.

    Ohiri, in his remarks, who echoed the Minister’s sentiments, expressed support for the app’s potential to reshape how diaspora remittances are used in health financing.

    “Most people abroad send money to help relatives who are already sick. With this platform, they can pay for health insurance instead, so that care starts before illness, and emergencies don’t lead to financial crisis.”

    He emphasized that the app works with accredited health insurance providers in Nigeria, ensuring funds are used transparently and effectively, “There’s no ambiguity. If you send money for healthcare, it goes to healthcare,” he said.

    Ohiri also noted the app’s potential to become a corporate social responsibility vehicle for diaspora groups and philanthropists who want to cover more vulnerable Nigerians, noting, “It’s not just about coverage numbers, it’s about protecting the people who need it the most.”

    As part of ongoing NHIA reforms, Ohiri announced a new directive to fast-track treatment approval for insured patients. Going forward, all HMOs are required to respond to authorization requests within one hour—or risk having hospitals proceed without their input.

    “Hospitals can’t wait indefinitely while patients suffer,” he said. “If there’s no response in an hour, they treat and inform us later. Lives come first.”

    He emphasized that non-compliance would carry financial consequences, with HMOs required to cover the cost of any treatment given due to their delay.

    Earlier, ADC Chairman Joachim Uche Okafor described the app as a seamless gateway for Diasporans to invest in Nigeria and Africa. 

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    He stressed the importance of reversing the “Brain Drain to Brain Gain” by encouraging Africans abroad to engage in the continent’s development. 

    Okafor highlighted that the initiative comes at a crucial time when Africa faces an economic downturn, urging the diaspora to invest in human capital and economic growth. 

    While pointing out that Nigerians, as the most educated immigrant group in America, make significant contributions to their host countries, Okafor, however, noted that investing in Africa would keep profits within the continent, helping lift African economies. 

    “It’s time for African nations to leverage their human capital abroad and drive prosperity,” Okafor said, underscoring Africa’s potential to compete globally.

  • Nigeria shares strategies to tackle Japa syndrome with Africa’s medical regulators

    Nigeria shares strategies to tackle Japa syndrome with Africa’s medical regulators

    Nigeria has called for concerted African continental efforts to combat the mass migration of healthcare professionals, popularly termed the ‘japa syndrome’, while turning the negative trend into a position of advantage and benefits to the continent.

    Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, while presenting and sharing the country’s detailed national strategy to address the rising migration of healthcare professionals, described the exodus as a “silent but far-reaching emergency” and stressed its impact on national investment and public health systems.

    While declaring open the 7th Annual Capacity Building Workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Abuja on Tuesday, Pate revealed that more than 16,000 doctors have left Nigeria in the last five to seven years, leaving the country with a doctor-to-population ratio of just 3.9 per 10,000, well below global standards.

    The workshop brought together experts across the continent to discuss critical issues such as workforce migration and burnout, with the aim of developing actionable strategies. 

    Highlighting the financial implications, Pate noted that training a single doctor costs more than $21,000, underscoring the public losses sustained through unmanaged migration. 

    Drawing from personal experience, Pate acknowledged the persisting drivers of migration, such as better pay, training, and working conditions abroad.

    To address this, Pate said the Nigerian government has introduced a National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, which he described as “data-driven, evidence-guided, and dignified.” 

    The policy, according to him, seeks to retain talent, facilitate ethical international recruitment, and create reintegration pathways for returning professionals, adding that It is accompanied by expanded training quotas in medical and allied health institutions and incentives to encourage service in underserved regions.

    The Minister disclosed that more than 60,000 frontline health workers were retrained last year, with plans to reach 120,000. 

    In addition, he said Nigeria is engaging in bilateral negotiations with key destination countries, guided by the WHO Global Code of Practice. 

    “The government is proposing a “train-for-train” model, where countries benefiting from Nigeria’s trained professionals contribute to the development of its health workforce,” he disclosed.

    He also emphasized the importance of diaspora engagement, highlighting efforts to create structured reintegration pathways, including simplified credentialing, academic reinsertion opportunities, and digital platforms for remote teaching and mentorship. 

    He cited examples of Nigerian oncologists and professors returning from countries such as the U.S. and the UK to establish world-class facilities. 

    He also informed the gathering that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is playing a key role by mapping workforce data, monitoring international recruitment agencies, and aligning regulations with other African nations.

    Pate called on African countries to lead a collective response to health workforce migration, stressing the need for shared planning tools, standardized training, and unified negotiations with destination countries. 

    He stated that while migration will continue, what matters is ethical and smart governance that benefits both individuals and systems.

    Pate also disclosed that the Federal government is considering a home ownership initiative for its health workers, saying, We’re now working with the Ministry of Housing and the Federal Mortgage Bank on some mass housing plans for healthcare workers. The idea is to figure out practical ways to help them stay in the country and keep growing in their careers.

    He said Nigeria’s strategies are already starting to pay off, adding, “We’re seeing more health professionals, including Nigerians in the diaspora coming back to set up practices and contribute.  

    “At the end of the day, it’s not angels or outsiders who’ll fix our healthcare system, it’s us. Nigerians here and abroad have to roll up their sleeves, do the hard work of rebuilding, and help retrain our own people. And honestly, we’re beginning to see real progress.”

    The Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, echoed the same sentiments and urged African nations to pursue legally binding agreements requiring destination countries to invest in source countries’ health infrastructure. 

    He described migration as both a burden and an opportunity, advocating for a shift from passive loss to strategic health workforce exportation. 

    Salako emphasized the importance of strong regulatory systems, malpractice management, and reliable data infrastructure, pointing to Nigeria’s investment in digital health platforms and renewed funding for regulatory bodies.

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    AMCOA President, Professor Joel Okullo, in his opening remarks, notes that this year’s workshop focused on integrated healthcare regulation and leadership, with the aim of equipping members with tools to make informed decisions and strengthen credentialing and data management systems. 

    He stressed the importance of collaboration among African regulators to address shared challenges and ensure a resilient healthcare future for the continent.

    He also appealed to the Coordinating Minister of Health to use his goodwill to expand the membership of AMCOA across the West African sub-region.

    MDCN Registrar, Fatima Kyari, while welcoming participants to the event, noted that it was Nigeria’s first AMCOA workshop while commending the alignment of leadership towards the shared goal of patient safety. 

    Prof. Afolabi Lesi, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the workshop, highlighted the need for healthcare regulators to uphold global standards while adapting to local contexts. 

    Lesi, who is also the Chairman of MDCN, addressed the challenges of fragmented professional relationships that hinder implementation and compromise patient care. 

    Lesi also announced that Nigeria had been approved to host the 2025 AMCOA conference, marking a significant milestone in its engagement with the continental regulatory body.

  • FG intensifies TB elimination drive

    FG intensifies TB elimination drive

    Nigeria is intensifying efforts to combat tuberculosis despite financial constraints and the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. 

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eliminating TB, citing significant advancements in diagnostic services, treatment accessibility, and community engagement. 

    Pate spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a Ministerial press briefing to mark World TB Day 2025, where he highlighted major interventions strengthening Nigeria’s TB response. 

    He said the number of GeneXpert machines increased from 32 in 2012 to 513 in 2024, improving early detection, adding that TB treatment facilities rose from 12,606 in 2019 to 23,000 in 2024, covering 57% of health facilities. 

    According to him, over 400 mobile digital X-ray units are deployed nationwide to detect asymptomatic TB cases while more than 3.8 million TB samples were tested in 2024, up from 2 million in 2023. 

    He also noted that TB services expanded to 4,000 private health facilities, which now contribute 34% of TB case notifications. 

    He said the launch of the “Gen-Z Against TB Movement” is mobilizing young Nigerians to spread TB awareness, in addition to the government raising a $50 million TB bond, with the private sector contributing half of the funds underscored the commitment of the government to combat the scourge.

    However, the Minister expressed concerns that despite the strides, Nigeria’s TB burden remains alarming, stressing that the 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report shows that Nigeria accounts for 4.6% of global TB cases, with about 71,000 deaths recorded in 2023. 

    While noting that the country ranks sixth globally and first in Africa among high-TB-burden nations, Pate also expressed concern over the low enrollment in Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment, revealing that only 3,500 cases received treatment out of an estimated 9,400 cases in 2024. 

    “To address this, the government is conducting a nationwide Drug-Resistant TB survey and expanding treatment services at local government and community levels,” he stated.

    Undernutrition, HIV, diabetes, and lifestyle factors like smoking continue to fuel TB infections, particularly among Nigeria’s working-age population between 15 and 44 years, he said.

    He also acknowledged the impact of the United States government policy shift with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding withdrawal, which previously supported nearly 50% of TB case detection efforts. 

    He stressed the urgent need for increased domestic investment and international partnerships to bridge the funding gap.

    Represented by Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services, Pate emphasized the importance of community TB screening, childhood TB detection, and sustained awareness campaigns. 

    He expressed optimism that despite the challenges, Nigeria remains on track to end TB by the global target date. He urged stakeholders, including the media, to amplify key messages such as “TB is preventable and curable” and “TB treatment is free at designated facilities nationwide.”

    Under the 2025 World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” the Minister called for renewed commitment from all sectors to defeat the disease once and for all.

    The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, has reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis. 

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    While acknowledging the global and national TB burden, he commended Nigeria’s progress, particularly the 300% increase in TB case notifications from 138,583 in 2020 to 418,198 in 2024. 

    This surge has significantly reduced the TB detection gap from 73% in 2019 to 17% in 2024, he said while warning that over 80,000 undetected cases continue to fuel community transmission.  

    Mulombo, represented by Mya Ngon, Team Lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, highlighted key initiatives, including primary healthcare infrastructure improvements under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative and the launch of the Multisectoral Accountability Framework to track TB progress. 

    He expressed concern over funding challenges following USAID’s withdrawal and emphasized the need for sustained domestic investment, noting that 71% of TB patients face catastrophic healthcare costs.  

    Uzoma Nwofor, Senior Communications Manager at IHVN, emphasized TB’s persistent public health threat and IHVN’s role in expanding diagnostics and private-sector engagement. 

    She highlighted the optimization of 400+ GeneXpert sites, AI-powered X-rays, and community-based interventions while calling for increased domestic investment and collective action to end TB by 2030.

  • Traditional institutions key to Nigeria’s health sector reforms – Minister

    Traditional institutions key to Nigeria’s health sector reforms – Minister

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has underscored the vital role of traditional institutions in strengthening collaboration with sub-national governments to support federal efforts in revitalizing Nigeria’s health sector.

    In a broadcast address on Sunday, Pate highlighted the synergy between modern healthcare initiatives and the enduring influence of traditional leaders.

    He described traditional institutions as custodians of Nigeria’s culture and heritage, serving as both a link to the past and a bridge to the future.

    The Minister emphasized that traditional and religious leaders play a crucial role in shaping public perception, dispelling health-related myths, and mobilizing communities—functions essential to the success of health sector reforms.

    According to Pate, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, the administration is committed to transforming the country’s primary healthcare system to improve accessibility and efficiency nationwide.

    Pate detailed the government’s commitment to revitalizing primary healthcare centers, ensuring the full operation of facilities undergoing renovation, and enhancing immunization programs to combat communicable diseases such as polio and measles.

    He stressed that the efforts are being implemented in close collaboration with States and Local Governments, with traditional institutions playing a key role in community outreach and advocacy.

    The Minister recounted a recent quarterly meeting in December 2024, convened with traditional leaders from 19 northern States and led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Dr. Saad Abubakar.

    Such engagements, he said, are instrumental in reviewing progress and ensuring that health reforms are domesticated within the local cultural context.

    Pate also cited consultations with the Bauchi State Council of Traditional Leaders, which provided critical insights into the local impact of health initiatives, noting that the dialogues, including input from women leaders, are helping shape a tailored approach to addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.

    Central to the government’s strategy, he said, is the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which focuses on strengthening primary health care, retraining frontline workers, and improving services for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

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    The Minister highlighted programs such as immunization campaigns for polio, measles and HPV eradication and others, and initiatives aimed at reducing maternal mortality.

    He noted that the programs benefit from the active participation of traditional leaders, whose grassroots mobilization has been pivotal in sustaining immunization efforts and other public health campaigns.

    He also shed light on the government’s broader efforts to integrate various stakeholders in the health reform process, pointing out that regular engagement with traditional and religious leaders, along with State administrators, private sector representatives, and development partners, ensures that health policies are both effective and culturally resonant.

    He referenced visits to key State figures, including the governors of Sokoto, Katsina, and Gombe, as well as interactions with the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), adding that the interactions have helped align funding commitments and development plans across Federal, State, and local levels.

    Moreover, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s complex Federal system necessitates a collaborative approach, where traditional leadership, civil society, and private stakeholders such as Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates work alongside government entities.

    He said: “We consult women leaders as well who are also, by extension, part of that fabric of community leadership in our society.

    “We’re working with the Royal Fathers on immunization campaigns to support polio eradication, as well as the implementation of new interventions that include the Maternal Mortality Reduction and Innovation Initiative (MAMI), that significantly upscales skilled birth attendance.

    “We’re working on the Free Fistula Program for Fistula Repair in Vulnerable Women, expanding the nationwide free treatment for emergency obstetric services for poor Nigerian women who are in need, and the subsidies for those who require dialysis in some of our federal tertiary hospitals.

    “All these efforts of the Federal government have to be rooted in a keen understanding of community demands, community needs, and informing our traditional leaders so that they are aware of what President Tinubu’s government, in collaboration with State and Local Government, is trying to do to improve the circumstances for millions of Nigerians who need medical care”.

    Such cooperation, according to him, is critical to transforming the health sector into a robust system that meets the needs of millions of Nigerians.

    He affirmed that the administration remains focused on revitalizing health facilities, upgrading diagnostic services, and training health workers to ensure that quality care is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

    Under President Tinubu’s leadership, he emphasized that these collaborative efforts aim to transform Nigeria’s health sector into a model of progressive, culturally grounded, and sustainable development, an ambition that would be challenging to achieve without the active participation of traditional leaders and other key stakeholders.

  • Teaching hospital declares self illegal in suit over worker’s sack

    Teaching hospital declares self illegal in suit over worker’s sack

    There was a legal summersault in a case where one Joachim Egerue is challenging the alleged wrongful termination of his appointment by Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo State.

    Lead counsel to the defendants asked the court to dismiss the case on the ground that the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri is an illegal institution and therefore cannot be sued. 

    Mr Nnamdi F. Ninis who is the lead counsel to the defendants had based his argument on the allegation that the hospital which was formerly known as Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owerri is yet to have its registration gazetted by the Federal Government and therefore cannot be sued.

    But the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) which was presided over by Justice Nelson Ogbuanya had frowned at the argument of the defence counsel which he described as an attempt to waste the time of the court and had subsequently ordered him to file his defence if any as to enable the court proceed to decide on the matter.

    Egerue, who is a key staff of Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, had approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Owerri in a Suit No NICN/OW/32/2024 to request for the reversal of the termination of his appointment which occurred in 2021.

    Defendants in the case are the Chief Medical Director of Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri Dr Kingsley Achigbu Ihedioha, the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, the Honourable Minister of Health, and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Egerue is praying the court to order his reinstatement to his position with attendant arrears of promotion or in alternatively order to direct the defendants jointly and severally to pay the sum of N200 million as Special damages to the Claimant being the salaries, allowances, emoluments, benefits etc. which the claimant should have earned from July 2021 when his appointment was wrongly terminated to 2035 which would have been his retirement age.

    Egerue is asking the court to order the Defendants jointly and severally to pay his arrears of salaries, allowances, emoluments, benefits etc from March 2021 until judgment is delivered and thereafter, interest thereon at the banking rate of interest until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.

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    The other prayers are for orders directing the defendants jointly and severally to pay N250 million as General damages and compensation for flagrant and unlawful termination of appointment/employment, an order directing the Defendants jointly and severally to pay N75 million as aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages for flagrant and unlawful termination of the claimant’s appointment/employment.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after the matter was adjourned to March 28, counsel to the claimant, Dr Christian Nwadigo hinted that the counsel to the defendants, Ninis rather than file their defence to enable the hearing of the matter to proceed, filed a preliminary objection on grounds that “Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri has no “juristic personality to be sued” because it has not been gazetted,” among other reasons.

    He confirmed that Justice Ogbuanya frowned at the grounds of the preliminary objection including the assertion that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has no powers to grant “declaratory reliefs,” noting that the court described it as a lack of “intellectual diligence.”

    Nwadigo said that the action of the defendants amounted to an alleged resort to technicalities in order to “buy time,” instead of filling their defence, saying that the defendants have since been served in 2024.

    He further said that the court adjourned to March 28, to enable the defendants file their substantive defence.

    Giving a background of the matter, Nwadigo hinted that the matter emanated from the termination of the appointment of Mr Egerue by the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri based on an “audit report of Dental Stores of December 2020, conducted by the 2nd defendant, the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, on the instructions of the 1st Defendant, Dr Kingsley Achigbu Ihedioha (Chief Medical Director) in the absence of the claimant Joachim Egerue, and without notifying him, without inviting him…”

    Nwadigo stated that the action of the defendants was tantamount to a violation of the claimant’s constitutional rights to a fair hearing in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution” amid relevant circulars of the Ministry Of Health.

    He disclosed that his client, Egerue is praying the court to, among other things, “declare as unlawful, wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional, the 2nd Defendant’s, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri purported letter of termination dated 01/07/2021 issued to the claimant, Joachim Egerue on the instruction of the 1st Defendant, Dr Kingsley Achigbu Ihedioha (Chief Medical Director) and “an order directing the defendants jointly and severally to re-instate the claimant, Joachim Egerue to his position.”

  • Lassa fever: Nigeria to host regional meeting on vaccine development

    Lassa fever: Nigeria to host regional meeting on vaccine development

    Nigeria is set to host its inaugural regional meeting on Lassa fever vaccine development on January 15, 2025, showcasing its leadership in tackling one of West Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, it emerged on Monday. 

    This was revealed by Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he emphasised the importance of this meeting in driving collaborative efforts across the region. 

    “Nigeria is at the forefront of efforts to develop a vaccine for Lassa fever. We are working with a consortium of countries, and this discussion is a step towards a long-term solution to the Lassa fever problem,” he said. 

    Addressing Nigeria’s broader health landscape, Pate highlighted the need for collaboration between various sectors and levels of government to improve health outcomes. 

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    He pointed out that factors such as education, sanitation, water access, and security are deeply intertwined with health. 

    For instance, he noted that uneducated mothers are more likely to have children who miss essential immunisations, underlining the link between education and public health. 

    Security challenges also hinder healthcare delivery in parts of the country, particularly vaccination campaigns, he also noted, stressing the importance of involving the military and security agencies in overcoming these barriers, ensuring that vital health services reach even the most remote and conflict-prone areas. 

    Beyond addressing Lassa fever, the Minister outlined the government’s vision for a more robust health system under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

    This vision, he said, aims to provide equitable access to essential healthcare services, from routine immunisations and maternal care to advanced treatments for conditions like cancer. 

    He stressed that healthcare must go hand-in-hand with broader social support systems, such as improved sanitation, nutrition, and financial protection for vulnerable groups. 

    Furthermore, he explained that to mitigate the financial strain of health crises on families, the government has introduced initiatives like the Vulnerable Group Fund, which provides resources for basic healthcare. 

    He also advocated for the establishment of a catastrophic health insurance fund under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which would shield low-income families from the devastating costs of major illnesses. 

    Reflecting on the interconnection between sectors, Pate acknowledged ongoing collaborations with Ministries such as Environment, Water Resources, and Women’s Affairs, noting that the partnerships have been instrumental in addressing health challenges like cholera outbreaks, where access to clean water and improved sanitation are crucial. 

    He, however, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a health system that serves the people’s needs while fostering cooperation across all sectors and levels of governance. 

    “Health is central to social protection and poverty alleviation. A family pushed into poverty due to illness is a tragedy we can prevent with the right systems in place,” he said. 

    Lassa fever remains a critical health issue in Nigeria, with cases reported in almost all the states of the country. 

    In 2024, the nation recorded 9,685 suspected cases, 1,187 confirmed infections, and 191 deaths across 138 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 28 states. 

    The disease, caused by the Lassa virus and primarily spread by multimammate rats, has a history of peak outbreaks during the dry season. 

    Among other steps, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reactivated its Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre in December 2024 to manage the current outbreak

  • FG increases 2025 HIV response fund

    FG increases 2025 HIV response fund

    Nigeria is making notable progress toward achieving the global target of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 through a series of comprehensive and ambitious initiatives, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said. 

    Speaking at a virtual World AIDS Day Media Roundtable organized by the Global Fund, Pate outlined key strategies aimed at combating the disease, stressing the adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to streamline resources and enhance accountability across national and sub-national levels.

    “This approach ensures accountability and establishes robust reporting and monitoring systems,” he said. 

    In addition, the Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, said private sector engagement through the HIV Trust Fund has also been instrumental in mobilizing domestic resources, with major enterprises and philanthropists contributing to the fight.

    The Minister revealed that a ₦1.3 trillion allocation to healthcare for 2025b has been proposed, marking a significant increase in funding, out of which ₦10 billion is earmarked for antiretroviral treatment and prevention, targeting support for at least 100,000 Nigerians living with HIV. 

    Additionally, he noted, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) provides ongoing funding for vulnerable groups, including those affected by HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, through a one-percent revenue contribution from the consolidated national fund.

    According to the Minister, Nigeria is prioritizing the domestic production of HIV-related commodities, including condoms, antiretroviral drugs, and rapid test kits, to enhance sustainability, while adding that discussions are underway with pharmaceutical companies to establish production facilities, supported by government tax waivers on equipment. 

    Production is expected to commence by the end of 2025, contingent on meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification standards, “This initiative aims to reduce dependency on foreign exchange and lower costs,” Pate said.

    He said workforce development is another cornerstone of the strategy, with over 40,000 health workers trained this year and a target of 120,000 by 2025. 

    Furthermore, he said prevention efforts have also been intensified, with the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program testing over four million pregnant women in 2023, surpassing expectations. 

    “We have mapped 40,000 health facilities offering HIV services to ensure broader access to care,” he explained.

    He, however, noted that significant challenges remain, including stigma, discrimination, and the criminalization of key populations, “Stigma and discrimination deter people from accessing medication and care,” he said, stressing the importance of addressing these barriers. 

    Funding constraints at the sub-national level were also identified, though recent reforms granting autonomy to local governments offer hope for improved resource mobilization, he stressed.

    Pate emphasized the critical role of data in ensuring accountability and effective planning, adding that efforts to improve data quality and digitize health records are part of the broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s healthcare system. 

    “Reliable data enhances transparency and coordination with international partners,” the added, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to programmatic and financial sustainability.

     warned of donor fatigue and risks posed by funding cuts. 

    He emphasised the need for more investment in prevention and treatment.

    Peter Sands, the Executive Director of Global Fund warned of donor fatigue and risks posed by funding cuts, while  emphasizing the need for more investment in prevention and treatment.

    John Nkengasong, United States Global AIDS Coordinator for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), highlighted the program’s support for local manufacturing in Africa, a key pillar for sustaining the HIV response and enhancing health security. 

    “We have committed to purchasing 15 million made-in-Africa HIV rapid tests and millions of antiretroviral doses, contingent on their meeting stringent regulatory and cost-effectiveness standards,” he said.

    Nkengasong linked regional manufacturing to broader global health resilience, particularly in crises like COVID-19. 

    However, he noted challenges, including affordability and maintaining quality standards saying, “Cost remains a barrier for many. We must avoid premium pricing for locally manufactured products,” he warned. 

    According to him, a change of government would not affect PEPFAR, which has saved 26 million lives over 21 years, as it remains focused on its bipartisan mission.

    UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Christine Stegling emphasized the need to address stigma and discrimination, protect human rights, and ensure equitable access to treatment and prevention services. 

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    She also stressed the importance of tackling structural barriers, such as debt servicing and revenue collection, to create sustainable healthcare systems.

    The panellists collectively underscored the importance of sustainable funding, transparency, and accountability in combating HIV/AIDS. 

    They called for low- and middle-income countries to prioritize in-country funding mechanisms to mitigate donor fatigue and preserve the gains of the past 25 years. 

    They noted that it is crucial to ensure that communities have access to essential commodities and prevention services while judiciously managing resources to achieve maximum impact.