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Professor Mohammed Pate
By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi
The assigning of Professor Mohammed Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister of Health by President Bola Tinubu has been described as the best thing to have happened to the country’s health sector considering his international connection with all relevant health organisations.
The appointment of a former Chairman of the Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Adamu Sambo as Commissioner of Health was also commended.
The assertion was contained in a statement by a Civil Society Organisation known as Journalists for Public Health Development and Initiative (J4PD), signed by its Coordinator, Elizabeth Nange Kah, copies of which were made available to Journalists in Bauchi.
J4PD Members who have special focus on reporting public health and other developmental related issues are drawn from Electronic and Print Media as well as the Online platforms.
In the statement, J4PD also stated that the appointment of Ali Pate will no doubt fast track the quest for Nigeria to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that is being championed by the United Nation’s (UN) world bodies.
Dr Adamu Sambo, Bauchi Commissioner of Health
J4PD further stated that Nigerians did not forget Ali Pate’s unprecedented achievements in the areas of public health during his tenure as Minister of Health (State), some years back.
The J4PD also remembered Ali Pate’s passion for improved Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Nigeria stating that, “Professor Ali Pate was the person that was saddled with the responsibility of setting up the structure that gave birth to establishing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).”
“Since that time, the Agency has been growing from strength to strength in it’s effort to improve the health status of Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas, where larger part of Nigerians resides,” it added.
While wishing him well in his second home coming to the Federal Ministry of Health, now as a full Coordinating Minister, J4PD expressed its desire to collaborate with the Ministry, with a view to contributing its quota for improved healthcare outcomes in the country.
In a similar message, J4PD also applauded the appointment of Dr. Adamu Sambo as the Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, describing the appointment as “putting a square peg in a square hole”.
The CSO commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his foresight in appointing a thorough professional that is very conversant with the challenges in the healthcare system of Bauchi State.
While applauding the appointment of Dr. Sambo and praying for his success in his new assignment, J4PD also pledged their support in complementing Bauchi State Government’s efforts towards attaining Universal Health Coverage in the State, for better health outcomes.
