The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to preventing disruptions in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, assuring citizens that ongoing negotiations with unions and professional bodies are progressing in good faith.
Addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Thursday, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, revealed that the administration is actively working to avert strikes and keep hospitals open.
“This is a listening government,” Pate stated, disclosing that a controversial circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had been withdrawn after health worker backlash.
He added that discussions are underway to revise allowances and address longstanding arrears, with the Minister of Finance tasked with ensuring payments are disbursed over time.
Constructive Dialogue with Unions
Prof. Pate commended recent engagements with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other groups as “constructive,” and confirmed that fresh negotiations with health sector unions were scheduled to continue later on Thursday.
He also addressed grievances from nurses and midwives about fairness in postings, noting that a centralised management approach had been adopted to ensure equity.
“Our commitment is to maintain the industrial peace we’ve seen in the sector over the last two years,” Pate said.
He appealed to healthcare workers to remain focused on patient care while negotiations continue, emphasizing that their well-being remains central to the administration’s reform agenda.
Health Infrastructure Revolution
Highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s investments in health infrastructure, Pate unveiled a string of recent projects, including new oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Maiduguri, aimed at improving access to cancer care.
“We are seeing a revolution in federal tertiary health infrastructure. The President has approved and released resources, and Nigerians can now access world-class care at home,” he said.
He announced the FEC’s approval of an upgrade to the oncology centre at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, including the installation of advanced cancer treatment equipment such as Linear Accelerators.
Additional centres are expected in Lagos, Nasarawa, and other states as part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
Pate also spotlighted massive upgrades at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, which he described as “perhaps one of the largest hospitals in West Africa,” with 10 newly commissioned facilities, including stroke, neurology, and cardiology centres.
Cross-Government Support and Presidential Priority
The minister attributed the progress to strong collaboration between the Health Ministry and other government bodies.
“This unprecedented attention to health is being delivered through coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget, and the wider presidential team,” he said.
He affirmed that President Tinubu has instructed the health team to double efforts on infrastructure and workforce welfare, with a commitment to ensuring fair treatment, better remuneration, and sustained access to care.
“This government is committed to keeping hospitals open and nurses on duty,” he concluded.
