The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria’s health sector has remained stable over the past two and a half years, with no significant disruptions during this time.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, made this statement on Sunday, crediting the government’s strategic planning and investments in the sector.
“I must emphasise that in the last two and a half years, we have experienced relative harmony,” Pate stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“We have not faced major service disruptions, apart from a brief period when resident doctors — not the medical association or the Medical and Dental Consultants, but only the trainee physicians — addressed long-standing legacy issues.”
Pate, who hails from Bauchi, noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has implemented measures to enhance the welfare of medical doctors and other healthcare personnel.
He indicated that the government is working to improve the conditions of service for medical staff at all levels.
“You cannot simply implement changes without proper planning,” he remarked, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering a healthy and well-supported health sector, while also emphasising the need for patience.
The minister added, “You cannot expect that all your demands will be met immediately,” highlighting the importance of dialogue between healthcare professionals and government authorities.
On 30 November, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its indefinite strike after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government.
“The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has resolved to suspend the ongoing total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action,” NARD President Mohammad Suleiman confirmed in a post on X.
According to Suleiman, this decision followed negotiations with the Federal Government and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The doctors had initiated the strike on 1 November, demanding fair remuneration, the payment of salary arrears, improved working conditions, adequate staffing, and essential medical infrastructure.
