Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Health Minister
FG recruits 2,497 healthcare workers to address shortage
The Nigerian government has taken steps to address the shortage of healthcare workers in the country by recruiting 2,497 doctors, midwives, nurses, and community health extension workers in the last six months.
Muhammadu Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced this at a news conference in Abuja.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the migration of healthcare professionals to other countries, Pate revealed that the government had increased the admission quota of schools training doctors, nurses, and midwives to boost the production of healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
In a comprehensive overview of the health sector, Pate highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance access to primary healthcare, particularly among vulnerable populations.
He mentioned plans to revitalize up to 17,000 primary healthcare centres by 2027 and release a first tranche of N50 billion for the Basic Healthcare Fund, a significant increase from the N25 billion allocated in 2022.
The minister also noted that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, an additional 750,000 Nigerians have been enrolled in health insurance.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians through initiatives like the Vulnerable Group Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).