Nigeria will survive Trump’s healthcare policy changes – FG
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, says he believes Nigeria will overcome the new policy changes by the United States President Donald Trump, halting healthcare assistance to developing countries.
He expressed optimism on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Bayelsa State Haemodialysis Centre and the General Outpatient Centre at the 350-bed hospital at the Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa.
Both events were part of the weeklong programs celebrating the fifth anniversary of Governor Douye Diri’s tenure.
“There are some challenges that have emerged in the last three weeks on health, as a result of the US government’s policy changes, but as a country, there is nothing we cannot overcome.
“The federal and state governments will work together to mitigate some of those challenges because even those who have HIV and kidney disease can come here and get treated without having to depend on someone from very far away land to come and support them.
“We are working to ensure that all the tiers of governments become responsible for the care of our population; with the resources that we have, we can harness it, and we can do it,” he said.
Pate said all the tiers of government must work collaboratively to harness the country’s resources and provide for the healthcare needs of the general populace.
He commended Diri for his vision in establishing the haemodialysis centre, saying the governor had shown commitment to healthcare delivery by investing in the needs of the people.
“Diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure and other non-communicable diseases are major issues in our population, and you are addressing them frontally by making this haemodialysis centre active.
“It’s really a strong statement of your commitment to addressing something that really touches the lives of millions and thousands of our population so that people don’t die because they have kidney failure, and you are doing it in a place that also trains health workers to take care of them.
“As you are all aware, President Tinubu signed a compact with all the 36 state governments and FCT that we should join hands and transform Nigeria’s health sector to serve the Nigerian people.
“What you are doing today is exactly what we should be doing in each of our states. State governments should invest resources and the Federal Government will complement those investments to address the needs of the people,” he said.
Pate said the Federal Government was revitalising many of the primary healthcare centres in the country.
“More than 2,000 of them are at different stages, and the state is also revitalising some, and we are doing our own modest contribution and we will continue to do that,” he added.
The minister said the President asked the ministry to develop a medical relief programme to provide support to the people and reduce the cost of access to healthcare.
Earlier, Diri said he was motivated to establish the medical facility when he became governor, following the death of his mother from complications arising from renal failure in 2013.
He paid tribute to late Chief Diepreye Alamieseigha for initiating the 500-bed hospital and his predecessor, Seriake Dickson, for converting part of the facility into a medical institution.
Diri also directed the Commissioner for Health, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe, and the Vice-Chancellor of the Bayelsa Medical University, Prof Dimie Ogoina, to ensure that the hospital became fully operational in six months.
“When I came in, I said if there was a jinx in this 500-bed hospital, it must be broken. Today, we are breaking that jinx. We have invested so much and today, this hospital is ready for outpatients.
“I picked so much interest, particularly about the haemodialysis centre. My mother died in 2013 of renal failure, and if we had a facility like this, maybe my mother wouldn’t have died.
“I feel very fulfilled today that our people will no longer die of renal failure and that Bayelsa can now offer these services to Bayelsans and Nigerians. We will continue to do more because health is wealth,” he said.
He lauded Prof Pate for approving Bayelsa State as one of the first to have the malaria vaccines, as he described the state as a tropical area and most mosquito-infested.
Pate also inaugurated the Zipline Drone Flight Services for the distribution of medical supplies and consumables and the 800-metre concrete access road to the Zipline facility.
Ogun allays fears
Also, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, on Tuesday, reassured people living with HIV/AIDS in the state of continued support, treatment, and care despite the recent 90-day suspension of funding for public health programmes—including the HIV/AIDS initiative—by the United States Agency for International Development.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Coker affirmed that the state government had taken proactive steps to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services, stressing that both the federal and state governments are committed to preventing any disruption in HIV/AIDS care.
“To mitigate the impact of the funding suspension, the state government has implemented several measures to maintain access to essential services. HIV test kits remain readily available across hospitals and primary healthcare centres, ensuring free testing for citizens,” she said.
Coker also confirmed that treatment facilities would remain open, allowing for continued drug pick-up and the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for newly diagnosed patients across the state’s 43 ART sites.
Additionally, she highlighted that Early Infant Diagnosis testing would continue at two designated m-PIMA laboratories at Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital and General Hospital, Owode.
All eligible clients requiring viral load testing will also have their blood samples collected, with necessary logistical support provided.
