Pate’s Recognition By ‘Time Magazine, A Global Affirmation Of Nigeria’s Ongoing Health Sector Reforms, Says Group

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has praised Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s coordinating minister of health and social welfare, for being named one of the 100 most influential people in global health.

TIME magazine describes the list as a celebration of trailblazers who are shaping policy, driving innovation, and making significant contributions to global health.

In a statement signed by TMSG chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group stated that the list, which includes Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, director of nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health, reflects positively on Nigeria’s health sector under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

“We are pleased that Professor Mohammed Pate has been named one of the one hundred people worldwide who have had a positive impact on global health in the past year.

“While we recognise Pate’s global stature, which led to his appointment as Nigeria’s health minister in 2023, we are aware that the influential magazine made reference to his actions in office.

“So it was not surprising that the minister, in his reaction to the listing, described the honour as a reflection of Nigeria’s ongoing health reform efforts under the Tinubu administration’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

“To be clear, NHSRII is a comprehensive initiative backed by President Tinubu’s Executive Order that aims to transform Nigeria’s health sector by strengthening infrastructure, improving health outcomes, and ensuring a sustainable governance system.”

“A fact sheet from the Health Ministry indicates that the NHSRII is a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders, including government, the private sector, and development partners and is centred around mobilising external funding and driving investments in the health sector.

“The initiative, which is currently operational, aims to strengthen the health system, improve access to healthcare services, and build the capacity of health workers.

“We are ecstatic to hear from Influential magazine that Pate has’succeeded in upgrading more than 900 primary health care centres this past year, which have served 12 million people.’” by coordinating resources across Nigeria’s 36 states and obtaining national and developmental partner funding.

The government has also provided free emergency caesarean sections to poor and vulnerable women in the country.

“Additionally, critical policies such as the Health Workforce Migration Policy have been implemented to address the issue of brain drain in the sector by improving working conditions and incentivising skilled professionals to remain in the country.

“In the long run, the reforms would lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, such as lower maternal and child mortality rates.

“Indeed, we have no doubt that by the end of the Tinubu administration’s first full term, the health sector will have undergone a wholesale turnaround.”

The group urged the Health Minister not to give up on his efforts to improve the sector.