By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir (Talban Bauchi)
Drawing from the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is recording a lot of developments on both fronts of policy formulation and direction – which is largely aimed at improving the quality of services delivered by healthcare personnel, as well as infrastructural developments, that are focused on upgrading and retooling of our healthcare facilities to basic and approved Healthcare standards.
In a lot of cases, facilities are being built to standards that can be referred to as world class. In collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, the Federal Ministry of Health is building 6 world class Cancer diagnostic and treatment centres in each of the geo-political zones.
Rapid developments in the healthcare sector are being witnessed due to the attraction of grants and investments from International development partners, to the tune of about $3 billion and counting. Such grants include the 1 billion dollars MOU signed with Afreximbank to unlock the healthcare value chain, 932 million dollars from Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), 150 million dollars from the GAVI Alliance, and 200 million from another philanthropic foundation.
Some of the key infrastructural developments that have already been commissioned include;
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Permanent site, which features a 2000 bed capacity, with a 240 bed Trauma and Emergency Complex, a 200 bed Pediatrics Emergency Complex, a 200 bed Medical Ward Complex, a 120 bed Mother and Childcare building, a Radiology building, and a General Outpatient Department Complex.
The site includes two oxygen plants ensuring high quality healthcare delivery. The details of the project includes the Dr. Cletus Ibeto General Outpatient Department (GOPD) Complex, Sir Emeka Offor Medical Ward Complex, and the Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Uba Medical Outpatient Clinic. It included several specialized clinics and complexes: the Dr. TOK Osuafor Medical Outpatient Clinics, Prof. SNC Anyanwu General Surgery Clinics, Prof. JC Orakwe Urology Clinics, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu Children Emergency Complex, Prof. TO Ulasi Children Outpatient Clinic, Prof. OC Ikpeze Antenatal/VIP Clinic, Prof. JIB Adinma Antenatal Clinic, and the Prof. OC Okpala Radiology Complex.
At the commissioning, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate said, “The successful completion of these projects highlights the power of a partnership approach in transforming Nigeria’s health sector. We must commend Sir Emeka Offor, for single-handedly funding the Medical Ward Complex, showcasing his unwavering commitment to healthcare and social welfare. Dr. Cletus Ibeto, CON, has also shown extraordinary generosity in establishing the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) Complex. Equally, the distinguished Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has played a crucial role in mobilizing the Anambra Progressives for funding the Medical Outpatient Clinic. Their remarkable support and dedication are testaments to the impact of collective effort and the importance of involving all segments of society in healthcare development”.
The Minister was also in Gwagwalada to commission three transformative projects at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada: the Mental Health Building, a new Medical Outpatient Block, and the Cardiovascular Research Centre. These projects align with the Government’s direction towards a more robust, quality, and equitable healthcare system.
At the commissioning, Prof. Pate stated that, “These initiatives will enhance our capacity to address mental health, provide essential outpatient services, and advance cardiovascular research, ultimately expanding access to specialized medical care and fostering innovation. The substantial strides made at this hospital reflect our broader national commitment to improving clinical practice, teaching, training, and research capabilities”. He extended his gratitude to Dr. Bissallah Ahmed Ekele, the Chief Medical Director, and his team for their warm reception, emphasising that their dedication to improving healthcare is commendable. The tangible results of their hard work highlight the importance of aligning strategic investments with our policy goals.
Worried by the incessant rise in the prices of pharmaceutical products, the Federal Ministry of Health has in a transformative move, sought Mr. President’s approval for an executive order, aimed at increasing the local production of Healthcare products such as pharmaceuticals, diagnostics devices, needles, syringes, Medical textile etc. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, is to now take the necessary steps in codifying the new order. The order is pivotal to the success of the Initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain.
The order introduces zero tariffs, excise duties and VAT on specified machinery, equipment and raw materials, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance our local manufacturers competitiveness. Specified items include active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and other raw materials crucial to the manufacturing of health products like drugs, syringes, and needles.
The Ministry has also signed an MOU with the Global Gases Group, led by Mr. Deepak Mehta, to establish gas plants for the production of liquefied medical oxygen in Nigeria. This collaboration aims to provide a steady and reliable supply of high quality medical oxygen across the country. This partnership is a game changer for the entire sub region, and not Nigeria alone. The planned facilities, each capable of producing 100 tonnes per day, will be strategically located in 3 urban clusters in both the South and North for the first phase.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has just approved a landmark policy set to transform healthcare human resource management in Nigeria. The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration addresses the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s health human resources. Prof. Pate explains that, “this policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration. It envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilized to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.
Capacity building is at the heart of this policy. It recognizes the importance of continuous professional development, with strategic partnerships and opportunities for international training to equip our healthcare professionals with cutting-edge skills”. He emphasised that the policy addresses the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the Diaspora. This is by establishing streamlined registration processes and providing attractive incentives, the policy not only encourages the return of our talented professionals but actively reintegrates them into our health system. This approach leverages the expertise of our diaspora to bridge gaps within the health sector.
Also, the policy champions reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure that the exchange of health workers benefits Nigeria. Prof Pate called on recipient countries to implement a 1:1 match—training one worker to replace every publicly trained Nigerian worker they receive.
These are just a few of the milestones recorded in just one year of the renewed healthcare investment initiative. So far so good. Proud of Prof. Pate who is from my hometown.
