By Joy Odor
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to secure lasting industrial harmony in Nigeria’s health sector by holding a high-level meeting with the leadership of all Health Sector Unions and Associations.
The talks, led by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, focused on the timely and consistent implementation of recently reached agreements aimed at improving workers’ welfare and sustaining healthcare reforms.
Prof. Pate reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s health workforce, describing them as “key to realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector.”
He highlighted the administration’s investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare, adding that “significant progress has been made, and more will be done.”
The Minister noted that Nigerian hospitals are now attracting patients from across West Africa, Europe, and America, an indication of the reforms’ positive impact.
He commended the unions for their dedication, stressing that the meeting marked the first of its kind and that discussions over the past week had been productive.
To ensure effective follow-through, the government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako.
Members include top officials from the Ministries of Health, Labour, Finance, and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant General, and the Budget Office.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, commended the Union and Health Ministers for their commitment, urging continuous engagement to avoid disputes.
“Implementation must be consistent and uniform,” he said, adding that sustained dialogue was key to lasting peace in the sector.
