We’re Negotiating To Keep Hospitals Open, Nurses On Duty, Says Federal Gov’t

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it was working “in good faith” to avert any disruption in the health sector, saying there are ongoing talks with key professional groups, including nurses and doctors, to keep hospitals open and health workers on duty.

Speaking to State House correspondents after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, praised the President’s leadership in driving what he described as a “revolution” in Nigeria’s health sector.

Pate also addressed growing concerns about union agitation and the risk of strikes, saying government remains committed to dialogue and compromise.
The minister highlighted what he called “unprecedented” investments approved by President Tinubu in federal health institutions, noting visible progress in infrastructure and equipment upgrades across the country’s tertiary hospitals.

“We are seeing a revolution in terms of the infrastructure and equipment in federal tertiary institutions across our country,” the minister said.

“Recently launched oncology centers in hospitals in Katsina, in Enugu, and in Maiduguri are just examples of what this President has approved.

He added that patients facing deadly cancer disease may now choose to use country’s resources, “unless somebody chooses to do otherwise.“

“World-class infrastructure that this President has provided can attend to most kinds of cancers, and these are accompanied by human resources dedicated to cancer care,” he assured.

He disclosed that the FEC had approved the upgrade of the Oncology Centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in continuation of revolutionising the health infrastructure in the country.

Pate explained that the upgrade would see the installation of advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment, including a Linear Accelerator for therapy.

He added that additional oncology centres in Lagos, Nasarawa, and other locations “are in the pipeline alongside many other massive projects.”

The minister also referenced the recently commissioned projects at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, which he described as one of the largest hospitals in the West African region, “maybe one of the largest on the continent.”

He disclosed that more than 10 major projects were commissioned within the week comprising a neurology centre, a stroke centre, a heart centre, an interventional radiology centre, and a revamped oncology centre.

“This country has never witnessed such attention by a president to boost the health system,” the elated minister said.

He also credited the collaborative effort of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Budget, and the wider presidential team for “delivering the vision of our President to begin to have world-class facilities all over our country.”

Turning to labour relations, Pate acknowledged the two years of relative peace and industrial harmony in the sector, stating that government was determined to sustain that climate despite recent tensions triggered by a controversial wage circular.

“We acknowledge that a recent circular from the Accrued Wages Commission, which was based on prior directives, precipitated discontent among various health professional groups,” he admitted. “This is a listening government.

“The circular was withdrawn, and now we are in the process of negotiating in a transparent manner the increment in allowances so that we meet those health workers on the needs that they have expressed.”

He confirmed that government is in “active dialogue” with key associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which had issued an ultimatum over unresolved welfare matters.

According to Pate, government is also addressing the demands of other health cadres, such as nurses, who have sought the centralisation of postings to ensure fairness.

“Those ones, we’ve agreed, will be managed centrally — that’s the fair thing to do,” he said. “There are other issues, ordinary establishment issues, and we’re working to ensure that we meet them.
“Not all of those issues are financial in nature, but this government is committed to ensuring that everyone in the health sector is respected and their needs addressed to the best extent possible,” Pate assured.

The Minister said further discussions with union leaders were scheduled for Thursday to ensure lasting peace, and resolve the issues.

“We call on all health workers to put the Nigerian person at the centre of our attention.

There are issues we can resolve through negotiation, and we are intent, in good faith, to continue to find ways to resolve those outstanding issues with them over time. Because at the end of the day, the health workers are the lifeblood of the healthcare system, and the infrastructure and equipment we are providing have to be complemented by the health workers,” he said.

He assured that government would “find ways to address welfare concerns to the extent resources allow,” and said President Tinubu had encouraged him and his team to “double down” on both infrastructure development and workers’ welfare.

The minister encouraged leaders of those unions to continue keep faith in government, saying the government is committed to keeping hospitals open and nurses on duty.