The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has hailed the listing of the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, among the 100 most influential people in global health as an affirmation of the quality of the personnel in charge of Nigeria’s health sector.
The list, according to TIME magazine, is a celebration of trailblazers who are shaping policy, driving innovation, and making significant strides in the global health space.
In a statement signed by TMSG chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said the list, which also has Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, director of nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health, reflects positively on Nigeria’s health sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We welcome the listing of Professor Mohammed Pate among the one hundred individuals around the world who have positively impacted global health in the last year.
“While we acknowledge Pate’s stature in the global community, which led to his appointment as Nigeria’s health minister in 2023, we are aware that the influential magazine alluded to his activities in office.
“So it was not a surprise that the minister, in his reaction to the listing, described the honour as a reflection of ‘Nigeria’s ongoing health reform efforts under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), of the Tinubu administration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NHSRII is a comprehensive initiative backed by an Executive Order by President Tinubu that is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s health sector by strengthening its infrastructure, improving health outcomes, and ensuring sustainable governance system.
“A fact sheet from the Health Ministry indicates that the NHSRII is a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders, including government, the private sector, and development partners and is centred around mobilising external funding and driving investments in the health sector.
“The initiative which is operational right now, is also targeted at strengthening the health system, improving access to healthcare services, and enhancing the capacity of health workers.
“We are elated by the testimony from the Influential magazine that Pate has ‘succeeded in upgrading more than 900 primary health care centres this past year, which have served 12 million people.’ by marshalling resources across Nigeria’s 36 states as well as securing national and developmental partner funding.
The government has also introduced free emergency caesarean sections for poor and vulnerable women in the country.
“In addition to this is the introduction of critical policies such as the Health Workforce Migration Policy to address the problem of brain drain in the sector by improving working conditions and incentivising skilled professionals to stay back in the country.
“In the long run, the reforms would lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, such as reduced maternal and under-five mortality.
“Indeed, we have no doubt that by the completion of the first full term of the Tinubu administration, there would be a wholesale turnaround of the health sector.”
The group urged the Health Minister not to relent on his efforts to revamp the sector.
End
