The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, announced that the Federal Government plans to integrate 28,000 health workers who were previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In an interview on Channels Television over the weekend, Pate emphasized the government’s readiness to assume greater responsibility for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, especially following changes in US foreign aid policy.
Recently, US President Donald Trump ordered a pause in funding for HIV treatment in developing countries as part of an executive directive on foreign aid. This decision impacted USAID and other US government health initiatives. As a result, the US Department of State suspended funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which supports over 20 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 566,000 children in Nigeria.
However, the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS confirmed that a waiver from the US government would allow people living with HIV to continue receiving treatment. In response to the evolving situation, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment supplies for Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.
Pate further noted that Nigeria had underinvested in its healthcare sector, but he highlighted the current administration’s commitment to reversing that trend. He pointed out that over 70% of the medications used in Nigeria are imported, and the country also relies on foreign imports for more than 99% of its medical devices. He stressed that only 30% of the country’s healthcare expenditure comes from government funding, with the remaining 70% covered by private individuals.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of international donors, including the US, but emphasized the need for the government to reduce dependency on foreign aid. “Quality healthcare is not cheap, and we have not made the necessary investments to achieve it,” Pate said. “We are a capable country, and we are determined to take responsibility for our own healthcare. We appreciate external support, but we are not begging.”
Pate also confirmed that the 28,000 health workers funded by the US would be transitioned to Nigerian government support. He reiterated that this shift had been part of the government’s long-term strategy to increase national ownership of the healthcare system.
