Ali Pate to deliver keynote speech as NDFF conference holds in Nigeria for first time

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, will speak at the Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) 2024 conference.

The conference is a high-level gathering of public, private, social, and international sectors.

The NDFF conference with the theme: ‘The Road to Economic and Social Welfare Transformation’, is scheduled for May 8 and 9, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

This will be the first time the conference would hold in Nigeria. Five previous editions have been hosted in London, Washington DC, and New York.

In a statement on Tuesday, Jide Akintunde, CEO of Financial Nigeria International and Convener of NDFF, said the minister will be speaking on the topic: ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Population Health: Crowding in Policy, Market, and Social Actions’.

He said the confirmation of Pate as a keynote speaker signifies progress, as the planning group for the conference aims to bring together leaders who are critical to the objective of fostering fiscal reform, monetary stability, and social welfare, towards achieving sustainable economic progress in Nigeria.

“The ultimate goal of economic policy, either fiscal or monetary, is to enhance the welfare of citizens. Similarly, the goal of health policy is to enhance the wellness of citizens and make them productive,” the statement reads.

“This insight is reflected in both the naming of the ministry and the appointment of a public health specialist with global leadership experience in healthcare financing as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

“Professor Ali Pate’s keynote speech will x-ray the concept of population health, which encompasses not only the elimination of diseases, but also the intersecting factors that influence health, including social and economic equity.

“A subsequent panel session will see policymakers, financiers, and leaders of healthcare product manufacturing and distribution dissect the challenges of the health sector, proffer practical solutions, and highlight investment opportunities to support innovation and a momentous improvement in Nigeria’s population health.”

According to the statement, confirming his participation in the conference, Pate said the topic of his keynote speech is in line with the ministry’s vision and approach for Nigeria’s health sector renewal.

“The goal of health policy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu is to improve governance, provide efficient and equitable access to quality health services, drive investment in healthcare value chains, and enhance health security for all Nigerians,” he said.

“Building an efficient healthcare system that responds to the needs of all citizens requires not only strong policies and effective leadership, but also strategic and coherent investments in the various building blocks that make up the healthcare system.

“As a government, we are committed to stimulating the sustainable production of health products, making the domestic markets more accessible for demand, and strengthening supply chains.”