BY David Aduge-Ani, Abuja
Newly inaugurated Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate on Monday assured to ensure effective implementation of policies that would enhance the standard of the health sector and improve the lives of Nigerians.
Pate, who made the assertion at the reception ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, said he would work with the minister of state and everybody to actualize the vision and mandate of President Bola Tinubu.
He stated that his tenure will enhance the welfare, health and well-being of the people, noting that these are inter-connected right from gestation to early childhood to adulthood and to the elderly across life circle.
Pate assured that the duties and obligations of the health ministry in the area of stabilizing, reducing pain, and offering financial protection would be addressed to enable people to actually begin to feel the impact of the administration on their lives.
In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Patricia Deworitshe, the minister said he is ready to work with the minister of state, staff of the ministry, other agencies and stakeholders to shape a direction for the Nigerian health sector and move it forward.
He further stated his intention to work with health actors, parastatals, hospitals, states and private sectors in improving the standard of healthcare as part of measures to stall medical tourism.
Also speaking, the minister of state, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended the management and staff of the ministry for the warm reception accorded them.
He asserted that health care covers not only hospitals, but also physical health, social security, national security among others.
The minister of state stated that people deserve basic comprehensive internationally acceptable healthcare services, promising that they are determined to achieve this feat to improve lives.
He added that the President has been very deliberative in choosing his cabinet members, reiterating the President’s statement that “he is the driver, the ministers are driving with him and the entire 250 million Nigerians are in the car, we cannot afford to fail”.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom assured the ministers that the staff of the ministry are determined to give their unalloyed support to ensure they succeed.
She promised to provide expertise in the administrative standard that would move the health sector forward.