At CJID, PREMIUM TIMES’ health dialogue, minister hails Jigawa’s healthcare revitalisation drives

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has hailed the ongoing healthcare revitalisation drives of Jigawa State Government at the 2025 National Health Dialogue organised by PREMIUM TIMES, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The event concluded on Thursday at Fraser Suites, Abuja, convened key voices in Nigeria’s health sector for crucial conversations on reform and accountability. The forum, themed “Evidence, Innovation, and Financing for a Healthier Nigeria,” brings together senior government officials, global health leaders, journalists, civil society groups and health innovators to discuss the state of Nigeria’s health system.

The minister, headlining the Dialogue in a fireside discussion, hosted by Moji Makanjoula, focused on Nigeria’s reform priorities, the future of primary healthcare, and the shifts required to improve outcomes nationwide, exemplifying Governor Umar Namadi’s revitalisation drives of the healthcare, which he said aligned with the federal government’s efforts in building the nation’s healthcare system.

Mr Pate said the existing narrative about the country’s healthcare system often focuses predominantly on problems; an alternate and constructive narrative must be cultivated to highlight successes, innovations, and ongoing efforts. This positive reinforcement is crucial for building consensus and sustaining good practices within the health sector.

Mr Pate cited the private sector as a source of this alternate narrative, specifically commending Ibrahim Wada for launching the first robotic surgical platform in Abuja, he said the initiative, executed in collaboration with the Nigerian diaspora, involved a successful, world-class surgical procedure. Importantly, Mr Pate said the platform is now being used to train personnel, attracting healthcare professionals from across Africa for training in Nigeria—an example of the country becoming a regional hub for advanced medicine.

Mr Pate said that addressing systemic challenges requires collective effort, involving all stakeholders, including journalists. He acknowledged that no healthcare system is without its problems, but emphasised that leaders are actively paying attention, citing the recent intensive three-day session of the National Council on Health and the commitment of the Jigawa State government.

As evidence of political commitment, Mr Pate noted the dedication of leaders like the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, who was observed conducting a health sector review meeting that ran from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 am, adding that this level of public leadership engagement, coupled with private sector investment, is key to making progress.

“No healthcare system doesn’t have challenges, but leaders are paying attention, and commissioners (of health) were with me two weeks ago they spent three days morning to night at the National Council of Health, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has been in the office from 3 pm to 1. am doing a health sector review, I woke up in the morning and saw the pictures, so if every public leader will step up and pay attention to what they are doing and the private sector looks at this is my business, where there is loopholes, challenges, how can the government support, we can achieve great strides in the healthcare revitalisation process”, the minister said at the event.

The Minister called upon Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to reorient their approach. Instead of mere lamentation or repetitive advocacy, CSOs should focus on constructive engagement. This includes asking state and local governments about their budgets, not to judge, but to offer solution-based support and practical ideas on implementation and improvement.

Mr Pate concluded by stating that everyone has a role to play in unlocking the private sector’s potential while simultaneously ensuring the effective delivery of public services and protecting the public interest.

Presentation of evidence, innovations

The state’s commissioner for Health, Abdullahi Kainuwa, who represented the state at the event presented key data and statistics that outlined major health financing and service delivery plans for 2026, stressing that improved primary healthcare, stronger accountability systems and expanded specialist services remain vital to the healthcare revitalisation process in the state.

Mr Kainuwa stated that Governor Namadi has approved a new salary structure for medical doctors and other health workers in the state’s hospitals, ending a 15-year stalemate in remuneration. He said the approved pay structure, aligned with that of medical professionals in federal institutions.

Mr Kainuwa also detailed how the state government has been providing free treatment for diabetics, hypertension, and sickle cell in state-owned health facilities, adding that the administration plans to complete free kidney dialysis centres at the headquarters of the five emirate councils of the state—Dutse, Hadejia, Kazaure, Ringim, and Gumel.

He added that the state government’s multi-billion-dollar healthcare intervention programme meant for the vulnerable population in providing free primary healthcare services to vulnerable people has entered the second phase. It said the scheme avails enrollees “access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial stress.”

Mr Kainuwa said under the second phase of the health care intervention care programme, codenamed ‘Danmodi Care’, the state is proud to announce that it has reached universal health coverage in some political wards in the state because the programme covered all the vulnerable residents from the ward.

About the National Health Dialogue

The 2025 National Health Dialogue, organised by PREMIUM TIMES in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), was supported by the Gates Foundation.

The dialogue was themed “Evidence, Innovation, and Financing for a Healthier Nigeria.”

The dialogue brought together policymakers, health experts, civil society groups, innovators, and journalists for a full-day discussion on the state of Nigeria’s health sector.