- Health Minister Prof. Pate assured Nigerians that the country will navigate challenges from U.S. funding cuts by utilizing local resources effectively
- During the inauguration of healthcare facilities, Pate emphasized the importance of infrastructure and collaboration to improve treatment accessibility for patients
The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, has assured Nigerians that the country will successfully navigate the challenges posed by recent U.S. health policy changes introduced by President Donald Trump, which cut funding for healthcare interventions in developing nations.
Prof. Pate made this statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, during the inauguration of the Bayelsa State Hemodialysis Centre and the General Outpatient Centre at Bayelsa Medical University. These projects were part of activities marking Governor Douye Diri’s five years in office.
The minister emphasized the need for all levels of government to collaborate and utilize local resources to meet the country’s healthcare needs.
He praised Governor Diri for establishing the hemodialysis center, noting that it strongly committed to addressing diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and other non-communicable diseases.
“This hemodialysis center is a crucial investment that will save thousands of lives. People should not die simply because they have kidney failure. The facility will also train healthcare workers to improve treatment accessibility,” Pate said.
He also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to healthcare transformation, highlighting the Medical Relief Programme, which aims to lower healthcare costs.
“The President has instructed us to work with all 36 states and the FCT to reform Nigeria’s healthcare sector. While recent U.S. policy changes have created challenges, Nigeria will overcome them.
Our federal and state governments will work together to ensure that people with HIV, kidney disease, and other conditions can receive treatment without relying on foreign aid,” he added.
Earlier, Governor Diri revealed that his mother’s death from renal failure in 2013 motivated him to establish the hemodialysis center.
“When I became governor, I was determined to break the jinx that had prevented this 500-bed hospital from operating. Today, we have achieved that goal.
Bayelsans and Nigerians no longer have to travel far for kidney treatment. Health is wealth, and we will continue to invest in healthcare,” Diri stated.
As part of the event, the minister also inaugurated the Zipline Drone Flight Services, which will distribute medical supplies and consumables, and commissioned an 800-meter concrete access road leading to the Zipline facility.
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