A Peep into Professor Ali Pate’s Lofty Initiatives in the Health Sector – Post 2 Years in Office
According to Barayan Bauchi Alhaji Sanusi Baban Takko, Chairman of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority*, An African aphorism once opines, “Health is wealth, if health is lost all is lost, but if wealth is lost nothing is lost, a healthy man is a wealthy man.” This inimitable proverbial African adage succinctly captures the towering personality of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, a cerebral scholar cum intellectual colossus who has brought his wealth of experience and fountain of knowledge to add value to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR*, whose daunting task is taking Nigeria to the crescendo in the comity of developed nations.
Under the dynamic supervision of Professor Ali Pate as the Supervising Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revolutionary reforms and initiatives have been brought to bear for the greatest good of all Nigerians. For instance, free cesarean operations for women are now operational across the country during childbirth, which is a commendable feat! Another laudable initiative of Honourable Minister Professor Ali Pate is the great successes recorded on the issue of Maternal Mortality, with the expansion of the free Fistula Programme, now available in 15 health centers across the country.
As a grassroots-oriented technocrat, Professor Ali Pate initiated the idea of establishing 11,400 Primary Health Care Centres (PHC’s) in rural areas/remote communities aimed at improving the well-being of rural dwellers. To the glory of Allah (SWT) under the unique leadership of *Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, N37.4 Billion Naira has been allocated for six (6) Advanced Oncology Centres, treating over 25,000 Cancer Patients across the country, thereby curtailing medical tourism to India and other parts of the world.
Also worthy of note, Professor Ali Pate, as Supervising Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, as part of his broader reforms in the Health Sector under the MAMI Programmes, unveiled a National Training Manual for Obstetric Fistula Management, reinforcing his commitment to long-term Fistula Prevention and Care. Corroborating the efficacy of this wonderful initiative, Mrs. Glady’s Nwachi, who lived with VVF for 18 years, highlights the life-changing impacts of these reforms under Professor Ali Pate’s watch.
The good tidings are in line with the core vision of Nigeria’s leader, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, caring for the general well-being of all Nigerians. The endemic issue of Maternal Mortality has declined by 12%, while immunization coverage has grown by 15%, setting a shining example for others to emulate on focused leadership!
In the mortal words of Napoleon Hills, “Whatsoever you can conceive, you can actualize it.” This power of imagination in achieving lofty heights has led to a significant collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Through this partnership, billions of Naira are being invested in upgrading health facilities in 11 tertiary hospitals across the country, improving surgical capacity, laboratory quality, and attracting diasporan professionals back into the system. These feats are legendary under Professor Ali Pate’s effervescent leadership.
Relatedly, Professor Ali Pate’s lofty initiative on the issue of bringing onboard 774 National Health Fellows (NHF), which was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is quite apt, timely, and strategic, aimed at investing in Youth Leadership, placing a vibrant Youth Fellow in every Local Government across the country for the good of the greatest majority.
Conclusively, as a way of giving equal rights and opportunities to all sections of the country, the Federal Medical Centre Kafanchan as well as the National Orthopaedic Hospital Azare have been granted to ameliorate the health challenges some of these communities are facing, which is a recorded milestone to the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu, through the visionary leadership of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate as the Supervising Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Alhaji Sanusi Baban Takko (Barayan Bauchi) is the Chairman, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
