Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system amid the recent withdrawal of U.S. funding.
Speaking during an interactive session with the House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on Thursday, Pate acknowledged the significance of the U.S. decision but assured that proactive measures are in place to mitigate its impact.
“We appreciate the billions of dollars in support from the U.S. government over the years, but the responsibility to provide healthcare for our citizens ultimately rests on us,” Pate stated. “While we remain grateful for past assistance, our focus is now on sustaining and improving healthcare services to ensure that no Nigerian is left without treatment for HIV, malaria, or other conditions.”
For more than two decades, external donors have funded key healthcare programs in Nigeria, particularly in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. However, the minister stressed that it is time for Nigeria to take greater ownership by increasing domestic healthcare investment.
He noted that while U.S. initiatives such as PEPFAR and USAID’s malaria programs have played a critical role, much of the funding has historically been directed through external entities rather than government systems.
According to Pate, Nigeria had already initiated several healthcare interventions before the U.S. policy shift, which helped cushion the impact of the funding withdrawal.
“We immediately conducted a thorough bottom-up analysis with agencies like NACA, the Public Health Department, and TB and malaria programs to assess funding gaps and develop strategies to address them,” he explained.
The government is now actively working to secure alternative funding for critical health programs, including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, reproductive health, nutrition, and public health initiatives.
Chairman of the House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah, commended the government’s swift response and emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic healthcare funding to ensure sustainability.
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