President Bola Tinubu has said reforms under his administration have expanded access to basic healthcare services for more than 37 million Nigerians.

He linked the progress to investments in primary healthcare, infrastructure, manpower and local drug production.

Tinubu made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on his birthday. He credited the minister with driving key parts of the government’s health reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the President, more than 3,100 primary healthcare centres have been revitalised. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund has also been reorganised to help millions of people access essential services. Three oncology centres have been established across the country’s geopolitical zones to improve cancer treatment at home.

Tinubu said more than 20,000 health professionals have been recruited into federal tertiary hospitals to ease the impact of medical staff migration. Over 78,000 frontline health workers have also received training to strengthen primary healthcare delivery. In addition, more than 17.1 million adolescent girls have been vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus.

The President also highlighted efforts to attract private investment into the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain. He said the initiative has secured a project pipeline worth more than $5 billion, showing growing interest in expanding local production of medicines and other health products.

Photo credit: The Sun Nigeria