Health Minister Pate Briefs Tinubu on Health Sector Gains, Highlights Progress in Maternal Care, PHCs

Health Minister Pate Briefs Tinubu on Health Sector Gains, Highlights Progress in Maternal Care, PHCs
By Our Health Correspondent
Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Federal Government’s reported achievements in maternal and newborn health, primary healthcare delivery, health insurance coverage, specialist medical services and local manufacturing of essential health products under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The achievements are being driven by the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, anchored on the December 2023 Health Sector Renewal Compact signed with state governments and expanded through a 2025 addendum to incorporate local governments, the private sector, civil society, and traditional and religious leaders.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with stakeholders to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, improve access to quality and affordable services, and advance universal health coverage.
Under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), interventions have been concentrated in 172 local government areas identified as having high maternal mortality burdens.
Programme figures show that case fatality rates in participating maternal health facilities declined by 22 per cent between 2024 and August 2026, while approximately 750,000 women in the priority areas were linked to antenatal care within the preceding year.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has also expanded access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, reaching more than 93,000 women and newborns by August 2026 through its emergency maternal, newborn and fistula programmes.
In primary healthcare delivery, the Federal Government reports that 3,526 primary healthcare centres have been revitalised, while 14,107 functional clinics are currently counted nationwide.
Approximately ₦249.5 billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and to primary healthcare centres between 2023 and September 2026.
Health insurance enrolment also increased from approximately 16 million at the beginning of the Tinubu administration to more than 23 million by September 2026. Of this figure, 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians received subsidised coverage through the fund.
The government has also intensified immunisation campaigns, emergency medical response and specialist healthcare services.
Nigeria’s measles and rubella vaccination campaign had reached approximately 103 million children by May 2026, while more than 18 million girls aged nine to 14 had received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
In specialist healthcare, three cancer treatment centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu have been completed and commissioned in collaboration with NSIA MedServe.
The administration has also reported the completion of 10 diagnostic and specialist centres in October 2026, alongside investments in eye care, dialysis subsidies, and infrastructure and equipment upgrades across federal tertiary hospitals.
Push for Local Manufacturing
A major component of the government’s healthcare reforms is the expansion of domestic manufacturing of essential medicines, diagnostic products, mosquito nets, medical devices and medical oxygen.
According to the ministry, 10 factories producing priority health products have been commissioned, including six in 2026.
The Presidential Executive Order on local pharmaceutical production has also supported eligible manufacturers through tax and tariff relief, while the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain has facilitated technology transfers, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.
Beyond infrastructure and manufacturing, the Federal Government is strengthening the health workforce, disease prevention, nutrition, public health laboratories and emergency referral services to improve access, service quality and resilience across the healthcare system.
Despite the reported gains, significant challenges remain, particularly in access to healthcare, the availability of essential medicines, emergency transport and the equitable distribution of health workers.
The government has pledged to consolidate the progress through sustained investment, stronger accountability and closer collaboration with state and local governments, development partners and private-sector stakeholders.
The ministry maintains that the ultimate measure of success will be improved health outcomes for Nigerians, including safer childbirth, healthier children, affordable treatment and a stronger domestic healthcare industry capable of supporting national health security.