Bukola Afeni
The Federal Government says its core mandate in the health sector remains to save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and improve the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.
The disclosure was made by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Ado Bako, in a press statement.
Bako said government is not shying away from “tough conversations” around the health sector.
“Recent public commentary has raised real concerns about health workforce shortages, infrastructure, financing, the migration of professionals, and access to quality care.
“They are real challenges, and are also the very reasons we are implementing far-reaching reforms.
Speaking on human resources, Bako noted that since 2023, the Federal Government has recruited more than 37,000 health workers across federal health institutions and trained over 70,000 frontline health workers.”
To address the migration of professionals, he said government has approved the “National Policy on Health Workforce Migration” to improve planning, boost retention, and promote ethical recruitment.
” This is backed by the National Health Workforce Registry and investments in specialist training.”
Bako while highlighting the issue of primary healthcare financing said under the revised “BHCPF 2.0”, government has approved ₦32.9 billion.
“The fund is supporting more than 8,300 Primary Health Care Centres, with plans to expand to approximately 13,000 facilities nationwide,” he stated.
He added that the reforms have led to “over 80 million patient visits,” while “more than 21 million vulnerable Nigerians have accessed care through the Vulnerable Groups Health Insurance Fund.”
“Through the ‘NCDC Gateway’ of BHCPF, disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness are also being strengthened,” he noted.
To address the cost and availability of drugs, Bako said government is expanding local production through the “Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, PVAC.”
“The objective is simple: strengthen local production, improve medicine security and make essential medicines more available and affordable for Nigerians,” he said.
He added that reforms also cover health infrastructure, maternal and newborn health, emergency preparedness, digital health systems, and accountability.
Citing the 2025 Joint Annual Review, Bako said 84 per cent of the key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Compact had been achieved.
“Lasting reform is measured not by rhetoric but by sustained action, transparent implementation and measurable results,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to working with professionals, civil society, development partners, the private sector and all Nigerians to build a stronger, more equitable and more resilient health system.
