Nigerians must hold us accountable for quality healthcare services, says Pate

Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare, says Nigerians must hold government accountable for providing improved quality healthcare services and basic services.

Pate spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Nigeria health sector-wide joint annual review (JAR).

The JAR is a platform for advancing the principles of the sector-wide approach (SWAp), bringing together stakeholders to reflect on progress made, evaluate challenges and identify areas for further improvement.

“For our citizens, in line with the President’s overall direction, we want you to hold us, as well as your state and local governments, accountable for providing improved quality healthcare services and basic services that we need as a people to create a healthier nation,” he said.

“We’re building on the legacy of several health ministers who have come before us, and my colleagues, Dr Tunji Alausa, as well as the current Minister of State, Dr Iziaq Alausa, and many others, and many leaders across different agencies.”

Pate said the death rate of children under five years of age has reduced by 16.7 percent between 2018 and 2023.

He said the figure is based on the pre-population health outlook report of the soon to be reviewed Nigeria demographic and health
Survey (NDHS) conducted in 2023.

He added that there were also significant improvements in infectious diseases, ranging from 40 percent reduction in diarrheal diseases, 24 percent reduction in Tuberculosis and 12 percent reduction in HIV.

“So, in spite of the pervasive sense that there are difficult challenges, Nigeria is beginning to move, which with this political commitment,
we can accelerate in the right direction,“ he said.

“Also, 17 states have already shown improved performance in modern contraceptives and six have already doubled.