By Grace Damulak
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with state governments, development partners, and young professionals to improve health outcomes for Nigerians.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali-Pate, made this known at the graduation and onboarding ceremony of fellows under the National Health Fellows Programme in Plateau State.
The National Health Fellowship programme, approved in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, was designed to expand access to quality healthcare across the country.
Under the initiative, young professionals were strategically deployed to all seven hundred and seventy-four Local Government Areas to strengthen primary healthcare delivery, promote innovation, and support sustainable improvements in community health systems.
Professor Ali-Pate noted that fellows in Plateau State and other parts of the country have worked closely with communities and health teams to improve coordination, strengthen data utilisation, tackle maternal and child health challenges, and restore confidence in public health services.
The minister represended by the Chief Medical Director, Of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTh Dr Pokop Bupwatda commended the Plateau State Government for strides recorded in the health sector, including the revitalisation of primary facilities among others
Speaking at the event, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who reaffirmed commitment to youth empowerment and a people centred health system, described the event as a historical milestone and a bold investment in the future of the state’s healthcare.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Josephine Piyo, Govenor Mutfwang Urged the fellows to demonstrate courage, compassion, and innovation in the discharge of their duties.
In his remarks, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, called for the continued engagement of Cohort One fellows pending absorption into federal service to help bridge manpower gaps in primary healthcare centres.
Seventeen fellows drawn from the seventeen Local Government Areas of Plateau State graduated at the ceremony, while another seventeen were onboarded as Cohort Two.
Edited by Karen Keyen
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