By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on his birthday, September 6, commending his contributions to the transformation of Nigeria’s health sector.
In a statement issued Sunday, the President described Pate as a distinguished and globally acclaimed health professional whose expertise has contributed significantly to the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the health and social welfare sector.
Tinubu highlighted the revitalisation of more than 3,100 primary healthcare centres and the reorganisation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which has enabled more than 37 million Nigerians to access basic healthcare.
He also cited investments in health infrastructure and manpower, including the establishment of three oncology centres across the geopolitical zones, the recruitment of more than 20,000 health professionals into federal tertiary hospitals and the training of over 78,000 frontline health workers.
The President further noted that more than 17.1 million adolescent girls had received HPV vaccinations as part of efforts to protect them against cervical cancer.
Tinubu commended Pate for facilitating investments in Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and pharmaceutical industry through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), with more than $5 billion in project pipelines secured.
“As Pate celebrates this auspicious day, the President joins family, friends, and associates to wish him good health and renewed strength as he continues to serve the nation diligently,” the statement said.
