"Over 70% of Patients Are Satisfied With Nigerian Healthcare" — Health Minister, Muhammad Pate.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, says patient satisfaction with Nigerian healthcare services currently stands at 74%. 

Speaking at the 2025 Joint Annual Review themed “All hands, one mission: Bringing the Nigerian health sector to light,” he added that confidence in the direction of the health system has risen to 55%.

He said citizen perception surveys conducted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 show improvements. “Thousands of Nigerians shared their experiences. Nearly half now believe the government considers their views in decision-making. Confidence in the government’s capacity to manage health emergencies is now at 67%,” he said.

Pate noted that affordability remains a major challenge. “Access to services is improving, but affordability must improve further. Plans such as the Medical Relief Programme and expanded social health protection are underway.” 
[11He added that health insurance coverage has grown from 6–7% to 12%, driven by mandatory insurance and the Vulnerable Groups Fund.

He said the ministry will consolidate gains, strengthen primary healthcare, sustain financing, and expand insurance for the poor and vulnerable. More than 20,000 frontline health workers have been recruited into federal tertiary hospitals within the last year, and over ₦50bn has been approved to address arrears and allowances.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the ministry is implementing reforms to tackle workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, financing challenges, and declining public confidence. 

He stated that the National Health System Reform and Investment Initiative has the potential to save ₦4.8tn annually from preventable diseases and retain about ₦850bn spent yearly on medical tourism.

Salako noted that over 500 high-impact projects, 13 federal tertiary institutions, and six cancer centres are underway, alongside efforts to expand insurance coverage and improve health financing mechanisms.

BREAKING NEWS:
The European Union, France, and Nigeria have signed a €10.2 million partnership deal to enhance local medicine production in Nigeria.

In a statement released by the EU today, the agreement is designed to boost Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and strengthen local health systems to improve access to quality healthcare across the country.

Doctors begin nationwide indefinite strike after failed talks with Government.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced an indefinite strike following the Federal Government’s failure to meet their demands after a 30-day ultimatum expired.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the association’s president, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike became unavoidable after several unfulfilled promises and unsuccessful meetings with government representatives. According to him, the decision was made reluctantly but was necessary to draw attention to the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This action is not driven by desire but by necessity. The government’s continued neglect of our welfare and the poor condition of hospitals nationwide has left us with no choice,” Suleiman stated.

He emphasized that the strike was not for personal benefit but aimed at protecting both doctors and patients by demanding a better working environment.

NARD listed major grievances including unpaid salaries and allowances, poor working conditions, shortage of staff, overwhelming workload, and lack of medical equipment, all of which have crippled effective healthcare delivery across the country.

Suleiman warned that the ongoing mass exodus of medical professionals would persist unless the government acted swiftly to address these concerns.

“The strength of any nation’s health system depends on the well-being of its doctors. When they are neglected and demoralized, patients ultimately bear the brunt,” he added.

He appealed to Nigerians, civil society organizations, and labour unions to support their struggle for a functional and humane health system rather than view it as a confrontation with the government.

NARD confirmed that the strike officially began on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and hospitals nationwide are already experiencing widespread disruption in services.

Sterling Bank gets recognition.

Sterling Bank Plc has emerged as the Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year at the 2025 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, held recently in Lagos.

According to a statement, the award ceremony spotlighted institutions and individuals making significant contributions to healthcare development in Nigeria.

Organisers honoured Sterling Bank for its commitment to financing healthcare innovation and supporting access to quality medical services across the country.

Speaking during the event, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, praised the winners for setting new standards in the sector, stating, “Tonight, we witnessed proof that our health sector is rich with talent, innovation, and resilience. These winners are the foundation of a stronger health system.

Other top winners at the 11th edition of the awards included the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which won Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, and Duchess International Hospital, named Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year.

Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency and Lagos State Health Management Agency jointly received the State Government Health Insurance of the Year.

The Ikorodu General Hospital and R-Jolad Hospital were awarded Public and Private Secondary Healthcare Facility of the Year, respectively. Leadway Health Limited was named Health Maintenance Organisation of the Year, while EHA Clinics received the Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year award.

Trump Administration Shuts Down USAID After Six Decades of Global Aid Work

The Trump administration has officially shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), bringing an end to the 63-year-old agency’s operations.

The closure is part of a broader federal downsizing campaign and aligns with the goals of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—a new unit tasked with reducing what it calls “bureaucratic excess.” Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy after Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act, USAID functioned as an independent agency dedicated to combating global pov+rty and promoting democratic resilience.

For over six decades, it partnered with nations worldwide to deliver humanitarian aid, economic support, and health interventions.

USAID’s contributions were widely regarded as pivotal in several historic global milestones. It played a leading role in the Green Revolution, credited with helping save over a billion lives through improved agricultural practices.

The agency also partnered with international bodies to strengthen global health systems—efforts that contributed to a 69% drop in child mortality rates since 1990. However, the Trump administration had gradually slashed funding to many of USAID’s signature programs, leading to the weakening and eventual shutdown of several key initiatives.

While critics have condemned the move as a setback for U.S. global leadership and humanitarian outreach, administration officials insist the decision reflects a strategic shift toward domestic priorities and leaner governance.