Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, has called for increased citizen involvement in holding all levels of government accountable for delivering quality healthcare services. Speaking at the ongoing three-day Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja on Wednesday, Pate emphasized the importance of collective efforts in advancing healthcare reforms across the country. The event, themed “It’s for All of Us: Accelerating Our Health Sector Reforms Together,” brings together stakeholders to evaluate and align health sector reforms nationwide.
Pate assured that the current administration remains committed to improving healthcare access and quality. “In line with the President’s vision, we want you to hold us, as well as your state and local governments, accountable for providing improved quality health services and essential services to foster a healthier nation,” he stated. He added, “Our mission goes beyond statistics; it’s about improving lives and supporting communities across Nigeria.”
He also highlighted recent health sector achievements, noting significant improvements in key health indicators. From 2018 to 2023, under-five mortality dropped by 16.7%, diarrheal diseases fell by 40%, tuberculosis decreased by 24%, and HIV prevalence dropped by 12%, according to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Pate credited these gains to the efforts of previous health leaders and emphasized the current administration’s commitment to building on this progress.
The minister pointed out state-level achievements, particularly in modern contraceptive use, with 17 states showing progress and six states significantly increasing their efforts. Imo State, in particular, has emerged as a leader in contraceptive adoption and health insurance coverage.
However, Pate acknowledged that Nigeria still faces significant challenges in achieving universal healthcare access. He called for expanded efforts to increase routine immunization coverage, reach unvaccinated children, and combat malnutrition and stunting. “These statistics represent real lives—families, communities, and children who rely on us for these improvements,” he said, stressing the importance of sustained investments and targeted interventions to overcome these hurdles.
