Any protest against Tinubu is protest against Nigeria – Health Minister

As the August 1st nationwide protests against bad governance loom, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He emphasized that the president’s efforts, particularly in the health sector, warrant commendation rather than protest.

Speaking at a meeting with the APC Professionals Forum led by Dr. Isa Yuguda, Professor Pate highlighted significant strides made under Tinubu’s leadership. “President Bola Tinubu has been very deliberate in addressing decades-long challenges across various sectors of the economy,” Pate said. “Protesting against him is protesting against Nigeria.”

Pate detailed the government’s extensive rehabilitation and equipping of Primary Health Care centers and Teaching Hospitals nationwide. “We are reviving 8,300 primary health care centers and plan to expand and upgrade them to 17,000 in the next three years,” he noted.

The minister also cited the execution of 201 infrastructure projects in federal hospitals and the procurement of 179 crucial medical equipment pieces over the past year. He announced upcoming projects, including diagnostic centers and oncology facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare through public-private partnerships.

“The President’s leadership has led to a substantial upgrade in healthcare infrastructure,” Pate asserted. “Plans are underway for groundbreaking ceremonies for 10 major healthcare projects. We’re also moving forward with a significant PPP initiative to enhance infrastructure in six teaching hospitals.”

Pate also highlighted the formation of a committee on standards for tertiary healthcare, marking the first such initiative in eight years. This committee aims to define standards for tertiary facilities per the National Health Act, with details now accessible online.

Moreover, he praised President Tinubu’s success in attracting international investment. “A Brazilian entity has committed $240 million to establish a generic manufacturing plant in Nigeria,” Pate revealed.

Dr. Isa Yuguda, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the APC Professionals Forum and the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), expressed his admiration for the ongoing transformation in the health sector. He lauded President Tinubu for convincing Professor Pate to choose Nigeria over a prestigious international appointment with the global vaccine alliance, GAVI.

“President Tinubu’s effective promotion of Nigeria as a business-friendly environment is already drawing significant foreign direct investments,” Yuguda noted. “It’s a big credit to the president that Professor Pate chose to serve Nigeria at this critical time.”

As the nation braces for the August 1 protests, Pate’s call for support highlights the administration’s efforts and achievements, urging citizens to rally behind ongoing reforms for a better Nigeria.