Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has held a constructive engagement with the leadership of all Health Sector Unions and Associations as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at sustaining industrial harmony and peace in the nation’s health sector. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press, and Public Relations.
Leading the Federal Government delegation, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds Nigeria’s health workers in the highest esteem and remains committed to improving their welfare.
Professor Pate stated:
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards as key to realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. His administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare—and will do even more.”
He emphasized that the timely implementation of agreements recently reached with the health sector unions is critical to maintaining the functionality of the healthcare system, which has undergone significant reforms over the past two years.
According to the Minister, the country is already reaping the benefits of these reforms, with Nigerian hospitals now receiving patients from other West African countries as well as
Europe and America. He commended the dedication of health workers, noting that this was the first meeting of its kind, and expressed satisfaction with the level of discussions held over the past week.
To ensure effective implementation of the agreements, the Federal Government has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako.
The committee comprises, amongst others:
Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni – Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare
Representative, Ministry of Labour, and Employment
Delegate, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
Member, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission
Representatives, Federal
Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Budget Office
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu commended the unions as well as the Honourable Ministers of Health and Social Welfare. He stressed that the implementation of the agreements must be consistent and uniform and urged that continuous dialogue between the government and the unions be sustained for lasting industrial harmony.
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