By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Federal Government on Wednesday sounded a blunt warning over the state of Nigeria’s health system, admitting that progress is not keeping pace with the needs of over 230 million citizens, even as it reeled out achievements recorded in the past 30 months.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, told participants at the APC Medical Council Health Roundtable Conference in Abuja that Nigeria must urgently renew its commitment to building a resilient health system or risk widening existing gaps.
The conference, held at the State Banquet Hall, brought together policymakers, development partners and health sector leaders to review reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Progress Not Fast Enough”
Salako acknowledged improvements across several programmes but warned that maternal deaths, child mortality, rising healthcare costs and migration of skilled professionals remain pressing threats.
“We must be honest that our progress is not happening at the pace required to meet the health needs of over 230 million Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, too many mothers still die during childbirth, too many children do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday, and too many families are pushed into poverty by medical bills.
He stressed that resilience cannot be built overnight, noting that sustained investment, political will, technical expertise and community participation are essential.
The Minister said the Tinubu administration had rolled out coordinated reforms under the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative aimed at accelerating universal health coverage.
He cited the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) as expanding access to care for millions, alongside improvements in immunisation coverage and disease control programmes.
Other initiatives highlighted include expansion of the National Health Insurance Authority scheme, strengthening of primary healthcare delivery, tuberculosis and malaria control, reproductive and child health programmes, and improved laboratory networks.
37,000 Health Workers Employed
On manpower, Salako disclosed that over 37,000 health workers have been recruited since 2023, with more than 75 per cent deployed in clinical roles.
He added that over 70,000 workers have received on-the-job training, while new policies have been introduced to address the migration of medical professionals abroad.
Measures include a Health Workforce Registry, expanded training quotas, deployment of Community Health Extension Workers, and the establishment of a National Rapid Response Team to strengthen epidemic surveillance.
Funding Gaps, Accountability Push
Despite global funding challenges, the minister said Nigeria’s health system has remained functional due to coordinated efforts between federal, state and development partners.
He pledged transparency in resource allocation and continued support for sector-wide coordination platforms to ensure accountability at all levels.
“Only healthy people can build a prosperous and secure nation,” Salako said, urging stakeholders to see the moment as a turning point toward universal health coverage.
While government officials project confidence, analysts say the true test lies in implementation and measurable outcomes especially in rural communities where access to care remains limited.
For now, the message from Abuja is clear: reforms are underway, but the race to secure healthcare for millions of Nigerians is far from won.
