the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate has said that Nigeria is confident in its ability to sustain its healthcare system despite the exit of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Following a directive from US President Donald Trump to close USAID, many countries, particularly in Africa, have been left in uncertainty, with thousands relying on the agency’s humanitarian efforts.
However, Pate reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government is prepared to independently fund and manage the country’s healthcare needs.
“We are not complaining. We are full of appreciation to the US government for the contribution they have made,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme aired on Friday.”
“The American people have contributed to taking care of more than 1.3 million Nigerians on antiretroviral therapies, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health conditions.
“The change in US government policy is the determination of the American people. We can’t complain. What we have determined is that we are primarily responsible for the health of our population.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing dependence on foreign aid.”
“We may be a poor country, but we are a capable country, and we are determined to own up to that responsibility. If others step in and support us, we appreciate it, but we are not begging for it, and we also will live within what we have,” the minister said.
Pate also noted that even before the US policy shift, Nigeria had been working towards self-sufficiency in healthcare.
“Our approach long before the change in US policy has been towards increasing national ownership. Increasing domestic resources,” he explained.
Reiterating the government’s dedication to quality healthcare, Pate concluded, “Improving our healthcare value chain and producing what we use. Strengthening our resilience through surveillance laboratory systems so that we deal with infectious diseases. We never really let’s say absolved ourselves of the responsibility for taking care of Nigerians who require government support.”
