Prof. Muhammad Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has commended the Plateau State Government’s efforts in improving primary healthcare delivery.
The minister gave the commendation in Jos at the graduation ceremony for Cohort 1.0 and the onboarding of Cohort 2.0 of the Plateau State National Health Fellows.
Represented by Dr Pokop Bupwatda, Chief Medical Director of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Pate said statistics show that Plateau is making significant strides in primary healthcare through revitalized facilities, increased budgetary support, and health insurance coverage for vulnerable populations.
He noted that the state is also strengthening planning systems and collaboration to prioritize the well-being of mothers, newborns, and children.
The minister highlighted that at the 2025 National Council on Health, Plateau led in implementing resolutions from the 2024 council—a feat made possible by strong political will.
He recalled that in April 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the National Health Fellowship Programme (NHFP) to enhance accessible and quality healthcare across Nigeria.
The initiative selects passionate, altruistic young Nigerians from all 774 local government areas and builds their capacities to drive innovative change in their communities.
“The NHFP symbolizes a new Nigeria where talent and competence empower our youth to reach their full potential,” Pate said.
“Throughout the fellowship year, Cohort 1 fellows in Plateau and beyond collaborated with their communities and health teams to improve coordination, enhance data use, combat maternal and childhood illnesses, address drug abuse, and rebuild trust in health services.
“Their fresh energy and innovative initiatives have significantly bolstered ongoing reforms to enhance service delivery.
“Cohort 1.0 fellows, your work has expanded the technical capacity of teams across the state; you have demonstrated that impactful public service is rooted in empathy, evidence, and commitment to communities,” he commended.
He urged the incoming Cohort 2.0 to build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors.
“Your journey begins at a time when the health system needs stronger data use at every level, deeper collaboration between communities and health teams, creative solutions to service delivery barriers, and unwavering focus on maternal and newborn health outcomes.
“As you join this fellowship, we encourage you to listen to the communities you serve, collaborate with health leadership, innovate for better care and access, and uphold professionalism,” he urged.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, described the state’s NHFP not just as an initiative but as a movement of empowerment, leadership, and service.
He said the programme aligns the state with the Federal Government’s National Health Strategic Renewal Investment Initiative and the Primary Health Care Transformation Agenda.
“This ensures that Plateau is not left behind but is marching forward, shoulder to shoulder with the nation, into a new era of health reform,” Mutfwang stated.
Earlier, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, in his welcome address, said the graduation and onboarding ceremony reaffirmed the state’s collective commitment to strengthening its health system and contributing to Nigeria’s overall health progress.
“The state embraced the vision wholeheartedly, recognising that the health of our people is the foundation upon which every other aspect of development rests,” he said.
It was reported that both cohorts consist of 17 fellows each, selected from the 17 local government areas of the state.
