By Emmanuel Kwada
In a move to mitigate the impact of the USAID freeze, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to take over the salaries of 28,000 health workers who were previously paid by the US government. This decision was made public by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme.
According to Prof. Pate, the primary challenge facing Nigeria’s health sector is the lack of investment in health infrastructure, human resources, and equipment. He noted that the government’s revenue, as a portion of the country’s GDP, has been very low, and as a result, health has been prioritized lower than other sectors. However, with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, there has been a deliberate effort to invest more in health and service delivery.
The minister emphasized that the UK and US spend a significant amount on healthcare, with the UK spending over $4,000 per capita and the US spending around $4,000 per capita, whereas Nigeria spends only $120 per capita. He also highlighted that 70% of Nigeria’s drugs are imported with foreign exchange, and 99% of medical devices are imported.
The Federal Government will find ways to transit them and ensure their salaries are paid
Prof. Pate acknowledged that overseas assistance has been significant, with the US government contributing about $67 per capita, which translates to a substantial amount considering Nigeria’s population of 200 million people. However, he noted that the US government’s contribution is not the only one, as other countries, such as the UK, and organizations like the WHO and UN, also provide support.
Regarding the 28,000 health workers who were paid by the US government, Prof. Pate stated that the Federal Government will find ways to transit them and ensure their salaries are paid. He emphasized that the government is committed to increasing national ownership, improving the healthcare value chain, and producing what is needed domestically.
In related news, the Federal Executive Council recently approved almost $1 billion in financing for a health program, which will be implemented by the states. This significant investment is expected to improve the country’s health system and deliver better results.
The minister also addressed the issue of the University College Hospital in Ibadan, which has been experiencing electricity problems due to accumulated debt to the Ibadan Disco. He noted that the hospital has been functioning within certain bounds, using off-grid resources and diesel to power the hospital, and that the chief medical director has done an excellent job in transiting to off-grid power.
70% of Nigeria’s drugs are imported with foreign exchange, and 99% of medical devices are imported
Overall, the Federal Government’s decision to take over the salaries of the 28,000 health workers affected by the USAID freeze demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the continuity of healthcare services in Nigeria.
