Ali Pate: We need to increase revenue collection, invest more resources in health

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, says Nigeria must increase funding for the health sector to build a world-class system.

Pate spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the second fistula steering committee meeting.

The minister said the government is spending six dollars on health per person, which he noted is insufficient for comprehensive healthcare delivery.

“It is being allocated to cover critical areas like maternal health, child health, immunisation, and the treatment of catastrophic diseases such as cancer and kidney disease,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“Our immediate focus is to ensure the most basic healthcare services are available to the poorest Nigerians, especially women and children.

“But with the limited resources at our disposal, every decision is about prioritising the most urgent needs.”

The minister said increasing revenue generation would be key to achieving long-term health sector sustainability.

Pate highlighted the significant gap between Nigeria’s current per capita health spending and that of other countries, such as the United Kingdom (UK), which he said spends over 1,000 dollars per capita on healthcare.

Pate said Nigeria’s current healthcare budget is directly tied to the country’s revenue collection, which remains relatively low.

“To build a health system like that of developed nations, we need to increase our revenue collection and channel more resources into health,” he said.

“Until then, we are focusing on getting the most out of our limited resources.”

He said the government is also expanding health insurance coverage to mobilise private sector funds and ensure a more sustainable financing model.

He said improving the health sector required collaboration across various levels of government and the private sector.

“As Nigeria’s economy grows, so will our ability to invest more in health. However, we cannot wait until then,” Pate said.

“We are already making investments today that will improve the health of Nigerians tomorrow.”