The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate has appealed to the citizens of Nigeria to demand transparency and accountability from all levels of government, especially regarding the quality of healthcare and basic services.
The appeal for greater governmental accountability and transparency came on Wednesday during the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review, held in Abuja. Titled “It’s for All of Us: Accelerating Our Health Sector Reforms Together,” this three-day event provides a platform for stakeholders to reflect on progress and identify areas for improvement in the Nigerian health sector.
He said, “For our citizens, in line with the President’s overall direction, we want you to hold us, as well as your state and local governments, accountable for providing improved quality healthcare services and basic services that we need as a people to create a healthier nation.
“We are building on the legacy of several health ministers who have come before us, and my colleagues, Dr Tunji Alausa, as well as the current Minister of State, Dr Iziaq Alausa, and many others, and many leaders across different agencies. We’re building the institutions in health, but building on the work of so many others who have gone before us.”
In addition to the State of Health Report, which assesses the current status of the Nigerian healthcare system, Pate revealed that the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Report will be unveiled to address the health implications of climate change.
He added, “I would like to say that the lives of Nigerians, particularly women and children, are at stake, especially the poorest among us. We must do everything we can to safeguard them, and we will be relentless in our resolve to deliver an efficient, equitable, and quality healthcare system for all Nigerians.”
Pate emphasized the administration’s commitment to elevating the standard of healthcare services across Nigeria.
He highlighted that the Ministry has surpassed expectations by achieving 31 out of 41 Key Performance Indicators, as outlined in the presidential commitments. This impressive progress, coupled with the Ministry’s determination to exceed the 2024 targets, reflects their steadfast focus on delivering results.
“We call on all of us to take action, because the task ahead is huge, but it requires our collective efforts, and we can do this through genuine partnerships that are respectful. We call on the government, including our development partners and the friends of Nigeria, to continue working with us and to be patient with us as we chart a path towards improving the health of all Nigerians.
“From the Federal Government, I assure you that the President is very committed to continuing the prioritization of healthcare, in line with the principles and commitments of the sector-wide compact that we signed. I would also like to commend all of the state governors for their involvement, especially in the last 15 months, in working with us.”
