J4PD Applauds Professor Pate’s Ministerial Appointment
By Murtala Muhammad
A Bauchi-based Civil Society Organization, Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), has described the appointment of the new Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, Professor Ali Pate as a welcome development that would bring about improvement to the country’s healthcare system.
It says in view of his antecedents in the global health system, Professor Pate will no doubt fast track the Nigeria’s quest towards attaining the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
A statement by the J4PD Coordinator, Ms Elizabeth Kah, says Nigerians were fully aware of Professor Pate’s unprecedented achievements in the country’s public health during his tenure as State Minister of Health in the previous years.
It recalls Pate’s passion for improved Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Nigeria, stating that he played an important role when given the responsibility of setting up the structure that gave birth to establishing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The statement notes the Agency’s progression and consistency in improving the health status of Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas.
It expresses J4PD’s desire to collaborate with the Ministry, with a view to contributing its quota for improved healthcare outcomes in the country.
In a related development, J4PD applauded the appointment of Dr. Adamu Sambo as the Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, describing the it as “putting a square peg in a square hole”.
It commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his foresight for appointing a thorough professional who is very conversant with the challenges in the state’s healthcare system.
J4PD pledged support in complementing Bauchi State Government’s efforts towards attaining UHC in the State and prayed for success of Dr. Sambo in his new assignment.
