By Iyemah David
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said Nigeria’s health sector is undergoing a historic transformation.
Speaking during the Health Development Partner Retreat on Wednesday in Abuja, he said that the transformation was driven by unprecedented collaboration among the federal government, state governors, and development partners.
He said the heart of the transformation was the Health Sector Compact, signed in December 2023, which aims to break the cycle of fragmented healthcare policies and create a unified, sustainable system.
According to him, for the first time in history, an agreement brings together all key stakeholders; the Federal Government, all 36 State Governors and 17 Development Partners.
“This is to ensure that no state, institution or funding source operates in silos anymore,” he said.
The minister said that this Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) was already influencing key policy decisions, resource allocation and healthcare delivery across the country.
“The Health Compact provides a structured framework that aligns federal, state, and local government efforts with international donor support and private sector investment.
“This ensures that healthcare funding is no longer disjointed, leading to better coordination and improved health outcomes,” he said.
Prof. Pate said that almost all 36 states had formally expressed interest in participating, marking a significant departure from past health policies that lacked full state-level engagement.
He said that this commitment was reflected in the growing number of state-level SWAp desk officers who are now driving implementation efforts on the ground.
“In addition, the first-ever joint annual health sector review has been conducted, ensuring that progress is measured and aligned across all levels of government,” he said.
He said that a major priority of the Health Compact was strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) services, the foundation of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“60,000 frontline health workers have been retrained, advancing efforts to build a skilled health workforce.
“Increased funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has enhanced the functionality of many PHC facilities.
“The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is now covering emergency maternal complications, ensuring that thousands of women receive life-saving care, including free fistula repairs.
“These interventions are addressing longstanding challenges, including maternal and child health issues, which remain a critical concern in Nigeria,” he said.
To ensure financial sustainability, Pate said that Nigeria was focusing on domestic financing, blended funding models, and private-sector partnerships.
“This is evident in the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on pharmaceutical imports:
“Local production of essential drugs such as Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid has begun.
“Investment cases have been developed to attract private sector participation, with seven already at the term sheet stage.
“Strengthened regulatory oversight by NAFDAC is ensuring that locally produced medicines meet global standards.,” he said.
Pate added that by fostering domestic production and aligning international funding sources, the government aimed to improve healthcare delivery without overburdening the national budget.
He said that another key aspect of the reform was health security and emergency preparedness.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has ramped up operations, responding to outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, yellow fever and monkeypox.
“The government’s proactive approach was evident in Borno State, where swift intervention prevented a major cholera outbreak following severe flooding,” he said.
The minister stated that the health sector faced a major HIV/AIDS funding crisis, with a $200 million shortfall that threatened to disrupt life-saving treatment for 1.5 million Nigerians.
According to him, instead of allowing the crisis to escalate, the government quickly secured emergency funding, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
He, however, said that implementing such an ambitious reform agenda had not been easy.
He said that the health sector was now on a steady path toward transformation.
