By Joan Nwagwu
Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has called for increased investment in the health sector as Nigeria’s health budget remains six per cent, the highest in over a decade.
Pate made the call on Friday in Abuja at the 25th West African Health Sector Unions Network (WAHSUN) Plenary Session, organised by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).
The theme of the event was “Strengthening Public Healthcare Delivery Systems in West Africa: Trade Union Strategies for Workforce Protection, Equity and Universal Health Coverage.”
He said stronger investment in health systems remained critical to improving population health outcomes across West Africa, noting that countries in the sub-region were closely linked in health outcomes.
“Health is one thing that affects everyone. We are all interconnected. What happens in Ghana can affect Nigeria, and what happens in Nigeria can also affect other countries,” he said.
The minister emphasised the need for regional cooperation in strengthening health systems, adding that Africa must take ownership of its health agenda through initiatives such as the Accra Reset.
According to him, the initiative seeks to ensure that African health systems are designed and funded based on local priorities rather than external dictates.
Pate said Nigeria had recorded renewed commitment to health financing under the present administration, noting that budgetary allocation to the sector had risen to six per cent this year.
“This year it’s six per cent. That is the highest it has been in more than 15 to 20 years,” he said.
He said increased allocation must translate into improved implementation, timely release of funds and better service delivery across all levels of government.
Pate said that health financing in Nigeria involved federal, state and local governments due to the country’s federal structure, adding that several states had also improved their allocations to the sector.
He said progress was being recorded in expanding healthcare access, with coverage increasing from about 8,000 facilities to 13,000 under ongoing reforms.
The minister added that thousands of frontline health workers were being trained to strengthen service delivery at the primary healthcare level.
On health workforce issues, Pate described health workers as central to the functioning of the health system, saying government remained committed to addressing long-standing concerns in collaboration with unions.
He said efforts were ongoing under the collective bargaining framework to resolve outstanding issues fairly and sustainably.
“We are committed to achieving a fair and lasting resolution of all longstanding issues,” he said.
Pate called for continued collaboration between governments and health sector unions, urging stakeholders to sustain dialogue in the interest of citizens across the region.
He also urged participants to maintain solidarity and focus on strengthening health systems to achieve universal health coverage in West Africa.