The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stability, development and sustainability within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa provided this assurance during the handover ceremony of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Jalingo, Taraba State, to the ministry in Abuja.
Alausa emphasised that governance and population health outcomes are central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s healthcare agenda. “Today, I stand before you on a path toward stability, development and sustainability,” he declared.
The minister outlined the administration’s four major pillars guiding ongoing efforts in healthcare reform. He highlighted the strides made in strengthening governance within the health sector, noting that “governance has become a critical vector in the healthcare space.” This focus on governance, he explained, aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of health services across the country.
Alausa also emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all citizens, a fundamental step toward achieving long-term national health goals. He cited the delivery of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Jalingo as part of key initiatives under the pillar, which includes expanding access to primary healthcare services and addressing critical public health challenges.
The other pillars, he noted, address various crucial aspects of the healthcare sector, further demonstrating the government’s dedication to comprehensive and inclusive healthcare reform.
Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali expressed strong support for the development of the new hospital, which is poised to serve as a critical healthcare hub in Northern Nigeria. Alkali highlighted the significance of the facility not just for the local population but for the entire region. “The concept is not going to only benefit the people of Taraba State. Here in Northern Nigeria, we are convinced that after the one in Kano State, our own hospital will be the next vital healthcare centre,” he said.
The deputy governor expressed optimism that with adequate government funding, the hospital could become a leading institution for specialised treatment, addressing the needs of the region and beyond. “I am sure that this hospital will attract attention not only in Taraba but across the whole country,” he noted, underscoring the project’s potential national importance.
In discussions with the hospital’s medical director, Alkali reiterated the commitment to ensuring that residents no longer need to seek treatment outside the state. “We are going to sign a formal agreement with the Ministry, formalising a partnership aimed at advancing healthcare in the region,” he said. He emphasised the growing recognition of the need for improved healthcare infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, stating, “As the region continues to face unique health challenges, the proposed hospital represents a significant step toward providing accessible and quality medical care.”
He also expressed confidence that collaboration with both local and international partners would bring tangible improvements in healthcare delivery in the state. “I hope this will give the managing director the go-ahead to treat the people of Taraba State and ensure that we don’t travel outside the state again for treatment,” he added.
Earlier in the event, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Daju Kachallom stressed the need for urgent and decisive action to address critical health challenges facing the nation. Kachallom expressed the ministry’s determination to finalise long-standing proposals aimed at improving the healthcare system. “It has taken us two years to finally come up and finalise these propositions,” she remarked. “We have carefully reviewed and addressed previous gaps and inefficiencies, and today, we stand ready to move forward.”
Kachallom underscored the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with state governments to improve healthcare delivery nationwide. As Nigeria continues to confront various health challenges, she noted that the role of state governors in driving positive change at the grassroots level remains crucial.
