Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has called on Nigerians to hold Federal, State, and Local Governments accountable for ensuring quality healthcare services. Speaking in Abuja at the ongoing Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR), themed “It’s for All of Us: Accelerating Our Health Sector Reforms Together,”Pate emphasized the role of public accountability in improving healthcare.
Pate remarked, “In line with the President’s vision, we urge citizens to hold all levels of government accountable for delivering quality healthcare services and essential services needed to build a healthier nation.” He highlighted that the ministry, alongside Minister of State Dr. Iziaq Salako and former health ministers, is committed to building robust health institutions and improving health outcomes.
He also announced the launch of the State of Health Report and the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, which address the impacts of climate change on health. “The health and lives of Nigerians, especially women and children, are at stake, particularly the most vulnerable among us. We are steadfast in our commitment to building a healthcare system that is accessible, equitable, and effective for all,” Pate added.
Reflecting on recent progress, Pate noted that the ministry has met 31 of its 41 Key Performance Indicators and is on track to exceed its 2024 targets. He called for collaborative efforts among government agencies, development partners, and community stakeholders to address the nation’s health challenges, stating, “The task is immense and requires our combined efforts and respectful partnerships.”
Pate affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing healthcare, aligning with the nation’s healthcare compact. He commended state governors and development partners for their support and called for alignment in financing and technical support toward national health priorities.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, emphasized the importance of the JAR as a tool for accountability, enabling stakeholders to evaluate program effectiveness, resource allocation, and outcomes. “The JAR will guide our priorities for the year ahead, ensuring alignment with national health goals,” Salako stated.
He emphasized key performance indicators, such as mortality rates, disease incidence, service usage, and healthcare quality, as central to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda. Salako highlighted the preliminary findings of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2023 as valuable for setting a sector-wide baseline. Additionally, he underscored the need to address the human resource challenges in healthcare, particularly as part of the drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
