By Blessing Odega
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has commended Plateau Government’s efforts in improving primary healthcare delivery in the state.
Pate gave the commendation in Jos at the graduation ceremony of Cohort 1.0 and the onboarding of Cohort 2.0 Plateau State National Health Fellows.
The minister said that statistics showed that Plateau is making significant strides in primary healthcare through revitalised facilities, budgetary support, and health insurance for vulnerable populations.
Pate, who was represented by Dr Pokop Bupwatda, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), said the state was also enhancing planning systems and collaboration to focus on the well-being of mothers, newborns, and children.
The minister stated that at the 2025 National Council on Health, Plateau led in implementing resolutions from the 2024 council, which he said was a feat made possible by strong political will.
According to him, in April 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the National Health Fellowship Programme (NHFP) to enhance accessible and quality healthcare in Nigeria.
He said the initiative selected passionate, altruistic young Nigerians from all the 774 LGAs, building their capacities to drive innovative change in their communities.
“The NHFP symbolises a new Nigeria where talent and competence empower our youth to reach their full potential.
“Throughout the fellowship year, fellows in cohort 1 in Plateau and beyond had collaborated with their communities and health teams to improve coordination, enhance data use, combat maternal and childhood illnesses, address drug abuse, and rebuild trust in health services.
“Their fresh energy and innovative initiatives have significantly bolstered ongoing reforms to enhance service delivery.
“Cohort 1.0 fellows, your work has expanded the technical capacity of teams across the state; you have demonstrated that impactful public service is rooted in empathy, evidence, and commitment to communities,“ he commended.
He urged the onboarding cohort 2.0 to build on the solid foundation laid by cohort 1.0, and you carry the responsibility to build on it with renewed excellence.
“Your journey begins at a time when the health system needs stronger data use at every level, deeper collaboration between communities and health teams, creative solutions to service delivery barriers, and unwavering focus on maternal and newborn health outcomes.
“As you join this fellowship, we encourage you to listen to the communities you serve, collaborate with health leadership, innovate for better care and access, and uphold professionalism,“ he urged.
Similarly, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang said that the state NHFP was not just an initiative but a movement.
Mutfwang described the programme as a movement of empowerment, leadership and service that aligned the state with the Federal Government’s National Health Strategic Renewal Investment Initiative and the Primary Health Care Transformation Agenda.
Mutfwang, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, said that this would ensure that the state is not left behind but is marching forward, shoulder to shoulder with the nation, into a new era of health reform.
Earlier, Plateau Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, in his welcome address, said the graduation and onboarding ceremony reaffirmed the state’s collective commitment to strengthening the health system of the state and Nigeria at large.
“The state embraced the vision wholeheartedly, recognising that the health of our people is the foundation upon which every other aspect of development rests.” He said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both cohorts consist of 17 persons each, who were gotten from the 17 local government areas of the state. NAN
