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Tag: Prof. Ali Pate

  • Joint annual health review is not targeted at anyone, Minister clarifies 

    Joint annual health review is not targeted at anyone, Minister clarifies 

    The upcoming 2024 Joint Annual Health Review is not aimed at any specific individual or agency within the Ministry of Health and Social Development, according to Coordinating Minister Prof. Ali Pate.

    Instead, the forum, scheduled for November 6-8, 2024, will bring together agency leaders within the Ministry, State Governors, Health Commissioners, and development partners to engage in a comprehensive discussion on advancing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

    The Federal Government has invested significantly in the health sector, allocating nearly ₦38 billion to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) over the past nine months to strengthen primary healthcare services.

    Additionally, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Federal Government has launched efforts to establish six cancer centers of excellence across the six geopolitical zones, with two centers anticipated for completion by 2025.

    During a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Pate emphasized that the review aims to evaluate the transformative efforts initiated by the government as the health sector faces critical challenges.

    “We’re not here to judge anyone, this review is about co-creating solutions and improving healthcare across every region,” he said.

    Rather, he explained that the forum will serve as an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s healthcare progress, focusing on maternal and child health, access to primary care, and efforts against diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

    According to him, insights from recent surveys, including feedback from over 2,600 Nigerians on healthcare quality, will help guide ongoing reforms, making the review essential. 

    He highlighted the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), a comprehensive plan to strengthen health governance, improve service delivery, and enhance infrastructure, as a key area to evaluate for its impact on the sector.

    “Since the signing of a compact agreement witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have laid the groundwork for a healthcare system that serves all Nigerians. 

    “This approach emphasizes accountability and effective resource management across Federal, State, and Local governments,” he noted

    The Minister also highlighted specific challenges facing the sector, including Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rates, saying, “Our data shows 172 local government areas account for half of the maternal deaths in the country. 

    Read Also: FG to review upward payments to hospitals for health insurance

    “Targeting these areas with the best interventions will help us make tangible progress.

    “The government has also implemented systems to track healthcare delivery outcomes, enabling more data-driven decision-making.

    “With baseline data in place, we can now reliably measure improvement, helping us track the impact of these reforms and ensuring accountability”.

    He, however, assured that the Ministry is focused on expanding Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, improving medical infrastructure, and addressing funding gaps, adding that the HSRII would inform Nigeria’s first-ever State of Health Report, a document that promises to highlight the country’s health priorities and guide funding allocations.

    “With a renewed focus on governance, equitable healthcare access, and citizen engagement, this is not just about policy it’s about serving every Nigerian, regardless of where they live,” he said.

  • Climate change: FG seeks local solutions, private sector, stakeholders’ collaboration 

    Climate change: FG seeks local solutions, private sector, stakeholders’ collaboration 

    The federal government has sought indigenous solutions and stronger collaboration with development partners, the private sector, and civil society to tackle the growing threats of climate change. 

    Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, emphasized the urgency of this approach, noting that while Nigeria faces significant socio-political and economic challenges, they are overshadowed by the existential threat of climate change. 

    This crisis has already caused floods, droughts, increased outbreaks of diseases like malaria and yellow fever, and widespread food shortages due to disruptions in agriculture, he noted.

    This is as the World Bank  commended Nigeria for the steps taken so far to address climate-related challenges, while acknowledging that more remains to be done. 

    These emerged on Thursday in Abuja during the 10th Future of Health Conference, where Pate emphasized that localized solutions and stronger partnerships are crucial for mitigating the growing impact of climate change on Nigeria’s health sector. 

    Emphasizing the urgent need for immediate action, Pate noted that climate change is already having a profound effect on Nigeria, adding, “We are living in an era marked by significant challenges on many fronts. Political and economic uncertainties are prevalent globally, regionally, and within our borders. 

    “Population dynamics in Nigeria, such as urbanization and migration, compound the pressure on resources. 

    “While the climate challenge is global, the solutions must be localized, grounded in the context of our respective countries. 

    “Localizing our response is essential to addressing our unique challenges and leveraging our available resources effectively.

    “This year, Nigeria has faced significant climate-related disruptions, including widespread flooding and droughts in various regions. 

    “These environmental shifts have brought with them a sharp increase in climate-sensitive diseases. 

    “In December, during a visit to Kano, community leaders expressed concern about seeing malaria cases during a time of year when it is usually not prevalent. 

    Read Also: Calls intensify for youth leadership role in climate change governance

    “We are also witnessing the emergence of new vectors, such as dengue in Sokoto and yellow fever in other regions. 

    “Additionally, cholera outbreaks linked to contaminated water sources and other enteric diseases are becoming more frequent. The effects of climate change are not confined to infectious diseases. 

    “The air quality has worsened, exacerbating both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as respiratory issues and cardiovascular conditions, which now represent the fastest-growing health burden in Nigeria. 

    “The adverse effects on food systems, leading to malnutrition and food insecurity, are also a major concern”.

    While he underscored the urgent need for immediate action to combat the effects of climate change, Pate emphasized the need to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems, which is crucial for building resilience, enhancing health security, and fostering productive partnerships. 

    Pate framed the issue as one of social justice, expressing optimism that the government is taking its responsibilities seriously and is on the right path to confront the challenges. 

    He also urged for the conversation around climate change to be simplified, making it accessible for everyone to contribute solutions.

    Tamer Samah Rabie, Global Program Lead for Climate and Health at the World Bank, who commended Nigeria for its progress toward building a climate-resilient health system. 

    However, hoverer emphasized the need for further capacity-building to effectively counter the impacts of climate change.

    Pointing out that Nigeria is leading by example, developing policies and making investments to strengthen the health sector, Rabie said, “Nigeria is setting a strong example by putting evidence into action, developing policies through a National Health Adaptation Plan, and attracting investments to scale up initiatives. 

    “The focus is on strengthening primary healthcare, improving service quality, and closely collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including the private sector. 

    “We are at the early stages of this journey, but I am hopeful and optimistic that we’re moving in the right direction to reach the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria and to ensure no life is lost due to the climate crisis.”

    Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) highlighted the link between climate change, public health, and food security. 

    She warned that air pollution, unregulated vehicle emissions, and poor environmental care are harming Nigerians’ health, citing a child’s death in the UK due to pollution as a cautionary example. 

    Fasawe called for legislative action to address these environmental health issues and stressed that climate change is damaging agriculture, driving up food prices, and limiting access to affordable food. 

    She urged the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and increased investment in research to help communities adapt.

    Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized the significance of this year’s event, themed ‘From Evidence to Action: Building Resilience in the Climate and Health Nexus’, noting that the commitments made by stakeholders highlight the urgency of addressing climate-related health challenges. 

    Ihekweazu, however urged the gathering that there is a critical need for strong actions to translate climate awareness into effective policy changes.

  • FG eyes saving $49m in five years from immunization administration

    FG eyes saving $49m in five years from immunization administration

    The Federal Government is set to give serious consideration to the implementation of a needle-free injection system into its immunisation administration landscape, The Nation has learnt.

    The move may be driven by a projected savings of $49.51m over the next five years, among other factors, as the government seeks to address gaps in routine immunization across Nigeria through the needle-free injection system.

    The global adoption of the technology, given its effectiveness in reducing pain, lowering infection risks, improving compliance, and minimizing medical waste, may have also fueled the government’s optimism for its implementation.

    This followed the dissemination meeting of the TROPIS Project, held in Abuja on Friday, a multi-year project that assessed the effectiveness of the Tropis device, a World Health Organization (WHO)-pre-qualified needle-free device used for administering fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) in routine immunization.

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    The study, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and conducted by a consortium including PharmaJet, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Sydani, Jhpiego, and PATH, was carried out in Kano and Oyo states from October 2022 to July 2024.

    The study, which gathered data from healthcare facilities and engaged both healthcare workers and caregivers, evaluated the effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and scalability of the Tropis system compared to standard intramuscular (IM) injections.

    Speaking at the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, noted that the many proven positives associated with the needle-free device and its global acceptance make it important for the government to consider its adoption.

    The Minister, represented by his Special Adviser, Emmanuel Odu, said that the government would give serious consideration to the study’s report.

    NPHCDA Executive Secretary, Muyi Aina, emphasized that migrating to needle-free fIPV could save Nigeria’s immunization programs $49.51m over five years.