Ali Pate Canvasses Efficient Healthcare Services in Nigeria

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Services, Prof. Ali Pate, has called on heads of tertiary health institutions to ensure productive engagements that will guarantee efficient healthcare services across Nigeria.

Pate made the call at the 113th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals (CCMDFTH) on Tuesday in Sokoto.

The week-long event, hosted by the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, brought together healthcare professionals to discuss ways to improve healthcare services in the country.

Represented by the Director of Hospital Services of the ministry, Dr Adesola Adegoke, Pate commended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sokoto state government and UDUTH and urged others to emulate the initiative.

Pate reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensuring proper funding, infrastructure, and manpower for tertiary health institutions to provide affordable and efficient healthcare services, thereby preventing medical tourism.

 He urged participants to use the meeting to harness experiences and share knowledge for the betterment of citizens.

Earlier, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State reassured the state government’s commitment to strengthening working relationships with relevant institutions to improve healthcare services at all levels.

 Aliyu, represented by his deputy, Engr. Muhammad Idris Gobir, said the government had increased the budget for the health sector and recruited 2,400 community health workers deployed to health centers in rural areas.

The governor added that the state government had renovated and equipped all healthcare centers and was sponsoring students studying medical and other health-related courses at different levels.

The Chairman of CCMDFTH, Prof. Saad Ahmed, said the event was part of routine exercises where heads brainstorm, discuss challenges, and offer solutions to issues affecting institutions and healthcare provisions in the country.

Ahmad explained that tertiary healthcare centers provided effective healthcare services, conducted research, and trained manpower, which facilitated breakthroughs in kidney transplants, heart surgery, and other complex healthcare services.

He said the committee ensured sincere efforts in fostering industrial harmony, strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, protecting lives, preserving professional solidarity, and upholding the noble calling of healthcare service to humanity.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, described the meeting as an important landmark in achieving success in healthcare services and pleaded for traditional rulers’ support at all times.

Abubakar, represented by District Head of Kilgori, Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, said traditional institutions had been partners with states, federal government, and non-governmental organizations in harnessing healthcare, especially immunization and other services.

The UDUTH’s CMD, Prof. Anas Sabir, thanked his colleagues for choosing UDUTH for the event and stressed the need for more collaborations to improve public health services.

He commended Sokoto state government for sustaining its partnership with UDUTH. A participant and Medical Director of Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Kware, Dr Suleiman Baguda, said the meeting was the best avenue for sharing achievements and challenges in their respective services.

Baguda said participants were expecting to implement the resolutions and improve services, research, and manpower development in their respective institutions, which would further translate to effective and affordable services to Nigerians.

The event witnessed exhibitions, interactive sessions, and other specialist discussions.

The meeting aimed to address challenges facing healthcare institutions and find solutions to improve healthcare services in Nigeria.

The participants deliberated on ways to strengthen the healthcare system, improve patient care, and enhance the skills of healthcare professionals.

The CCMDFTH is a platform for healthcare leaders to share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop strategies to improve healthcare services in Nigeria.

The committee’s efforts are geared towards ensuring that Nigerians have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

The meeting ended with resolutions to improve healthcare services, research, and manpower development in tertiary health institutions.

The participants vowed to implement the resolutions and ensure that Nigerians have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

The event was a significant step towards improving healthcare services in Nigeria, and stakeholders are optimistic that the resolutions will be implemented to achieve the desired results.

The representative of the later and the committee of chief medical directors and medical directors inspect some critical projects at Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

She also inaugurated the newly constructed Ophthalmology centre constructed by Chief Medical Director, Prof. Anas Sabir.