The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has called for a significant boost in health sector funding, revealing that Nigeria’s health budget has climbed to six per cent, its highest level in over a decade.

Speaking on Friday at the 25th West African Health Sector Unions Network (WAHSUN) Plenary Session in Abuja, Pate highlighted the interconnected nature of health in West Africa. He stressed that stronger investments are critical for improving regional health outcomes and achieving universal coverage

The event was themed: “Strengthening Public Healthcare Delivery Systems in West Africa: Trade Union Strategies for Workforce Protection, Equity and Universal Health Coverage.”

He noted that stronger health investments are key to better outcomes in West Africa, citing the shared health challenges and close links between countries in the region.

“Health is one thing that affects everyone. We are all interconnected. What happens in Ghana can affect Nigeria, and what happens in Nigeria can also affect other countries,” he said.

The minister emphasised the need for regional cooperation in strengthening health systems, adding that Africa must take ownership of its health agenda through initiatives such as the Accra Reset.

According to him, the initiative seeks to ensure that African health systems are designed and funded based on local priorities rather than external dictates.

Pate highlighted a surge in health funding under the present government, noting that the national health budget has increased to a significant six per cent.

“This year it’s six per cent. That is the highest it has been in more than 15 to 20 years,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that the boost in funding must lead to more effective implementation, the prompt disbursement of resources, and enhanced service delivery at every level of government.

He noted that Nigeria’s federal structure requires a coordinated financing effort across federal, state, and local governments, highlighting that many states have already increased their health spending.

Furthermore, Pate pointed to significant progress in expanding access, noting that ongoing reforms have grown the number of covered healthcare facilities from 8,000 to 13,000.

The minister added that thousands of frontline health workers were being trained to strengthen service delivery at the primary healthcare level.

On health workforce issues, Pate described health workers as central to the functioning of the health system, saying government remained committed to addressing long-standing concerns in collaboration with unions and efforts were ongoing under the collective bargaining framework to resolve outstanding issues fairly and sustainably.

“We are committed to achieving a fair and lasting resolution of all longstanding issues,” he said.

Pate called for continued collaboration between governments and health sector unions, urging stakeholders to sustain dialogue in the interest of citizens across the region.

He also urged participants to maintain solidarity and focus on strengthening health systems to achieve universal health coverage in West Africa.(NAN)