The Federal Government has announced plans to absorb 28,000 Nigerian health workers previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following the agency’s abrupt funding freeze.
Prof. Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme. He stated that the government is committed to mitigating the impact of the funding cut, which has raised concerns about the future of crucial health interventions in Nigeria.
The decision by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump to halt USAID operations has sent shockwaves across many African nations that relied on the agency’s funding for critical health and education projects. Nigeria, in particular, has benefitted from USAID’s support in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health.
Pate acknowledged that the Nigerian healthcare system had long depended on external funding, but he emphasized that the government is working towards self-sufficiency. “We have determined that we are primarily responsible for the health of our population, and we are going to work towards exiting dependency on external assistance,” he said.
He further disclosed that the government has conducted an assessment of the financial resources needed to sustain key health programs, including HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria treatment. “We will identify where to source the funds to ensure we buy and distribute the necessary commodities, while also encouraging local production,” he added.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritized human capital development, increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure, training, and local pharmaceutical production. The government has also secured nearly $1 billion in funding for healthcare programs through the Federal Executive Council.
On the fate of the affected health workers, Pate assured that they would be integrated into the national system. “These 28,000 health workers are Nigerians, and we have to find ways to transition them into government employment,” he said.
The minister called on state governments and private sector stakeholders to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasizing that a collaborative effort is needed to sustain healthcare delivery across the country.
