Pate assures FG’s commitment to achieving UHC

Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has assured Nigerians of government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

He gave the assurance in an interview with journalists during the Federal Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2024 Ministerial Leadership Retreat on Performance Management System on Wednesday in Bauchi.

It was reported that UHC means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.

The minister, therefore, outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system, noting that “Universal Health Coverage is a top priority for this administration.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status.”

The minister emphasised that the progress made in the past year in Bauchi alone include the establishment of a new permanent site for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi.

He listed other areas as the upgrade of diagnostic centres across the country and establishment of a Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) centre in Ningi, Bauchi State, for the North East and other states.

He noted improved healthcare services in Primary Health Care centres (PHCs) too.

According to him, the ministry’s collaboration with stakeholders, including state governments, healthcare professionals and development partners, is expected to further enhance services across the country.

Pate said “we recognised that achieving universal health coverage requires collective effort.

“We are committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians receive the best possible healthcare.”

On his part, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, explained that the 2024 Ministerial Leadership Retreat on Performance Management System was a resounding success.

He said the retreat facilitated critical dialogue among the ministry’s leadership, “resulting to the signing of performance contracts by heads of departments and renewed commitments to drive excellence and accountability within the health sector.

“The action points and recommendations outlined are expected to strengthen the sector’s capacity to deliver high-quality health services to Nigerians, in line with the current administration’s health sector reform agenda,” he said.