The Nigerian government has intensified efforts to sustain peace in the nation’s health sector through constructive engagement with the leadership of all health sector unions and associations.
At a meeting held in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian health workers, describing them as pivotal to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector.
Professor Pate noted that the administration had already made substantial investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare, with plans for even greater support.
He emphasised that the timely implementation of agreements recently reached with health unions was crucial to maintaining the efficiency of a healthcare system that had undergone significant reforms over the past two years.
The Minister revealed that Nigerian hospitals were attracting patients from other West African nations, Europe, and the United States, a development he attributed to improved service delivery and the dedication of health professionals.
He lauded the unions for their cooperation, describing the dialogue as the first of its kind, and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in discussions over the past week.
To guarantee the effective execution of the agreements, an Inter-Ministerial Committee was established under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako.
The committee included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni; representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Employment; the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission; and delegates from the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Budget Office.
Also in attendance was the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, who praised the Ministers and the unions for their commitment to dialogue.
He urged that the implementation of the agreements be consistent and uniform, while maintaining continuous engagement to ensure lasting industrial harmony.
The meeting marked another step in the Nigerian government’s ongoing reconciliation process, aimed at creating a stable and productive environment for healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
PIAK