ABUJA- The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, says the Federal Government is committed to using health as one of the pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present government.
Pate said this on Tuesday in Abuja during the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day Walk to commemorate the global health aspiration target which would ensure that nobody was left behind.
He said that the walk was in tandem with the theme of this year’s event “Health for All: Time for Action” which required actors to take steps at different levels to strategise on improving universal coverage.
The minister said that the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu was eager to lead Nigerians through positive health transformation with the attainment of the UHC.
Pate said that the National Health Insurance Authority had made it mandatory for everyone to assess health care services so as to achieve the needed health transformation.
“This will bring about investment to expand the quality of health care services that Nigerians access through the primary healthcare systems and hospitals.
“We expect that states will complement with the participation of every stakeholder, to ensure that the society is healthier.
“This action requires that everyone has access to quality healthcare services that are affordable.
“UHC day which is marked every December 12 is used to stress the need for a healthcare system that provides equitable and good health care with financial protection to everyone,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to take care of their health, ensure that they keep fit, eat well and also exercise for good health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, said that the walk was to create awareness and remind everyone that the world was lagging behind in providing universal coverage to the population.
“It is an opportunity for us to rethink the way we do our business and associate towards universal coverage for everyone.”
According to him, WHO alongside other partners will support the country in finding solutions to most of its health challenges. (NAN)
