The Federal Government has expressed concern about the deterioration of some health centers across the country. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate raised this concern during the 137th National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
During the meeting, the Federal Government resolved to overhaul 17,000 and 774 primary and secondary healthcare facilities nationwide. Governor Mohammed of Bauchi State, while commenting on Pate’s presentation, highlighted its detailed examination of the health sector. The presentation thoroughly analyzed the sector from tertiary to primary levels, addressing gaps, problems, and funding challenges.
“I asked that question too in Cabinet,” the Governor remarked, addressing state correspondents. He continued, “The federal government faces shortages of funds, and we propose utilizing taxes from communication, airlines, and those taxes from the state government to bridge financial gaps, posing a challenge to the healthcare system.”
He stressed further, “Under Democracy, you cannot stop anybody from going. As a state, I have built over 1000 primary health centers, but I don’t have the doctors; I only have 100, as you said. But we used to have 3000, they have run away. We are working very hard with this compact to develop a robust conditional service or scheme of service that will make them retained. Certainly, we’re urging Nigerians to know that your home is your home. And you must sit down here and work. Dr. Pate left a very big job where he was earning two point something billion with Gavi to come on work with 500,000 a month. I think our doctors need to understand this, and this is what we’re doing through persuasion.”
Bala emphasized that the compact agreement with the World Health Organization in December is coming up on the 15, 2023, where “All the governors will come and sign a compact agreement in terms of service compact, a major part of the council’s resolution.
He maintained that plans are underway to curtail the trend of medical doctors seeking better work conditions abroad, as the government is working hard to address the issue of brain drain.
The former FCT Minister also assured that the government is working assiduously to train healthcare personnel to meet the problem of insufficient healthcare professionals in the country.
