Stakeholders in the healthcare sector in Nigeria led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, have recommitted to pushing for an improved healthcare system in Nigeria.
The stakeholders were particularly concerned at the inefficiency and dearth of trained and experienced manpower at the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres despite being the foundation of health care service delivery, and having received some financial resources over the years.
They made the submissions at the National Health Dialogue organised by the Premium Times, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and other partners held in Abuja, on Thursday.
The event was attended by representatives of the governors, coordinating of minister of health and social welfare, commissioners of health, local and international partners, media professionals and other stakeholders.
Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, in his welcome address said, “we have gathered the right people in this room, notably, Ministers and Commissioners, Journalists and health workers, innovators and advocates to discuss the health system in Nigeria, because we Nigeria’s health crisis is solvable. Not overnight, not without difficulty, but solvable.
“At Premium Times and CJID, we have invested in investigative health journalism because we believe that information is power. When citizens know how health budgets are spent or misspent, they can demand better. When journalists expose substandard products in our markets or regulatory failures that endanger lives, they create pressure for reform. When we track health outcomes with data, we can measure progress and hold systems accountable.”
He said the the Federal Ministry of Health’s recent “Red Letter” to state governments was not an act of micromanagement, but a recognition that business as usual is failing Nigerians. “It was a call for urgent action on oversight, efficiency, and accountability in health spending.”
Country Representative, World Health Organization (WHO) and Head of Mission to Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, who was represented by Tayo Hamzat, noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its health sector reform journey.
He said: “Through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), we are witnessing renewed political commitment to data-driven decision-making. Nigeria currently invests 4.27 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health which is below the recommended threshold for universal coverage.
“Routine immunisation coverage has improved from 25 per cent in 2013 to 39 per cent in 2024, yet gaps remain in rural areas. Although maternal mortality remains high 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, we are witnessing a 17 per cent reduction in LGAs that have started implementing the Government led Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, underscoring the need for evidence-based interventions.”
He said that WHO remains committed to supporting Nigeria to strengthen health information systems and data quality; institutionalise evidence use in planning; budgeting, and policy formulation; continue working collaboratively with policymakers, build capacity of journalists, and civil society to interpret and use health data responsibly.
He also noted that CJID’s work in strengthening health journalism is vital, stressing that equipping journalists to interpret data, ask the right questions, and communicating responsibly fosters transparency and accountability.
Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, in her remarks, highlighted some the measures taken by the Kaduna state government to improve the health system in the state.
She appreciated the effort of the Premium Times to promote equality in health care service delivery, and assured that the state governor, Uba Sani, is committed to the cause improved PHC services.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, in his submissions, assured Nigerians of a better health care system in no distant time.
He said the Nigeria’s health system witnessed some leve of “abandonment” for a long time, and the federal government through the Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) is working hard to improve the system and restore the confidence of people in the health system.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NHPCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, his remarks, disclosed that the collaboration between the media, traditional and community leaders, as well as the government has resulted in the improved PHC services.
He disclosed that plans are on to expand access to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and also rebuild the trust of Nigerians on the PHCs which ought to be the first point of call in terms of health care service delivery.
