Minister of State for Health Dr. Salako Inaugurates Implementation Committee For Nat’l Dialogue on Power
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Government of Nigeria through the ministry of health and social welfare has launched an initiative to address the challenges of power supply in public healthcare institutions. This is despite previous efforts, such as a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals and the provision of solar power mini-grids.
This according to the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako while delivering his keynote speech on Friday, March 28, 2025 in Abuja during the inauguration of the Committee for the National Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector said, to tackle this issue, the government plans to explore Public-Private Partnerships, as such medical directors of visited hospitals have been instructed to develop business cases and strategic plans to attract private sector investments in alternative and renewable energy solutions.
“I am pleased to welcome you all to this crucial meeting of stakeholders in the health and power sectors, as we converge to lay the right foundation and take progressive steps towards the attainment of energy sufficiency and sustainable electrification of our public healthcare facilities
“Since I assumed office as the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare about 6 months ago, I have conducted working visits to many of our Federal Tertiary Health Institutions in different geopolitical zones of the country. These familiarisation visits has given me the opportunity to be directly exposed to the chanlenges being faced by our Federal Tertiary Health Institutions, one major one being the deficits in electricity provision and huge energy cost.
Dr Salako said, the government aims to adopt innovative energy solutions that will strengthen the health system and improve population health outcomes. Host a national stakeholders dialogue to assess the existing power policy environment, gather field experiences, and identify alternative and sustainable solutions to enhance power reliability in public healthcare institutions.
However, the objectives of the National Stakeholders Dialogue is assess the existing power policy environment against the urgency of energy needs in tertiary health facilities
Gather field experiences and practical recommendations, identify alternative and sustainable solutions, including renewable energy options and energy-efficient solutions, strengthen public-private partnerships for electricity supply to public health institutions and build consensus on policy and regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and sustainability strategies.
The inaugurated Committee for the National Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector is to convene the National Stakeholders Dialogue, ensure effective implementation of recommendations, mobilize resources and attract investments for sustainable electrification of public healthcare facilities using a whole-of-government approach
Dr. Salako acknowledged the priority attention given to the health sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which is working towards universal health coverage .
He said, “i am grateful to the Honourable Minister of Power, ably represented here today, for his commitment to intersectoral collaboration as he join hands to confront and resolve the numerous challenges of energy provision that have become a burden to our healthcare facilities across the country.
“I recognize and commend all the government agencies and parastatals that are represented here today, for considering this critical assignment worthy of your involvement and commitment.
“Special thanks to the development partners and private sector organizations here present, for your consistent support to the Government of Nigeria over several decades, and for willingness to ensure the success of this important task, as we strive together to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and achieve Universal Health Coverage,” he concluded.
