Nigeria’s Health Sector Secures Stability Pact, Eyes Foreign Patient Influx

Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja

In a move hailed as a milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare future, the Federal Government has reached a landmark agreement with leaders of all major health sector unions and associations. The pact is designed to maintain industrial harmony while positioning Nigeria as a growing destination for medical tourism.

The engagement — described by the government as the first meeting of its kind — took place at the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare headquarters, Abuja, and spanned several days of discussions.

Leading the government delegation, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s health workers.

> “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards as key to realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. His administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare — and will do even more,” Prof. Pate declared.

The Minister emphasized that implementing the agreements without delay is critical to maintaining a functional healthcare system. He also highlighted that reforms in the last two years are already yielding dividends, with Nigerian hospitals now attracting patients from across West Africa, and even from Europe and America.

To ensure that commitments are met, the Federal Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako.

Committee members include:

Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni – Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare

Representative from the Ministry of Labour and Employment

Delegate from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Member of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission

Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Budget Office

In his remarks, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, praised the unions and the health ministry leadership for fostering dialogue. He stressed that “implementation must be consistent and uniform” across the sector and called for sustained engagement between the government and unions to secure long-term industrial peace.

This development marks a strategic shift from managing crises to building proactive, cooperative frameworks in the health sector — a direction expected to strengthen healthcare delivery and bolster Nigeria’s image as a reliable hub for advanced medical treatment.