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Tag: Prof. Muhammad Pate

  • FG launches 5-year occupational health, safety strategic plan

    FG launches 5-year occupational health, safety strategic plan

    The federal government has launched a National Occupational Health and Safety plan to improve national productivity through a consistently high level of health among workers in all occupations.

    The initiative will be implemented over five years, from 2024 to 2028.

    The plan was launched in Abuja on Tuesday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom.
    Prof. Pate emphasized that the strategy was developed to safeguard the health of workers and support sustainable development, particularly in the face of increasing industrialization.

    “Nigeria is a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), it complies with the ratification of conventions, treaties and policies related to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), “Pate stated.

    He highlighted that Nigeria is the 29th country to ratify the Convention No.187 promoting safe and healthy working environment and the 22nd to ratify the ILO Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work (June 2019).

    Strengthening policies to protect workers
    The minister reiterated that these international policies encapsulate the need to ensure workers are protected against accidents at workplaces.

    He assured that the Ministry of Health is fully committed to implementing ILO policies and providing essential health sector interventions to support the strategy.
    “The National Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Plan (2024–2028) is designed to provide clear guidance to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as other key stakeholders,” Pate stated.

    “It will improve national productivity through a consistently high level of health among workers in all occupations, by promoting a healthy environment for the Nigerian workforce that is safe to live and work in.”

    He further added that the plan would ensure access to Occupational Health and Safety services to every working individual within Nigeria.
    Additionally, Pate explained that the plan would direct how the Nigerian health sector, in collaboration with its partners, will respond to and manage work-related diseases, injuries, and accidents, ultimately improving the health, well-being, and productivity of employees.

    OHS as part of broader health framework
    Ms. Oluyinka Olayemi, National Coordinator of the Africa Center for Disease Control in Nigeria, emphasized that OHS is a key element of the country’s framework for addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health.

    She expressed confidence that the new plan will lay a strong foundation for the necessary OHS interventions.

    “By establishing robust systems and tools, the country will be better equipped to prevent, protect, and respond to occupational health challenges, ensuring healthier lives for all, and contributing to comprehensive health coverage,” Olayemi concluded.

  • Nigeria loses $1.1 billion annually to malaria crisis – Health minister

    Nigeria loses $1.1 billion annually to malaria crisis – Health minister

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has revealed that malaria costs Nigeria over $1.1 billion in annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) losses.

    He made this declaration at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Body on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria ( AMEN) held in Abuja.

    A statement issued by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, on Tuesday, stated that Pate described malaria as not just a health crisis, calling it “an economic and developmental emergency that must be eliminated.”

    He highlighted Nigeria’s disproportionate malaria burden, saying malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll. With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria-related deaths.

    “Our country bears the heaviest burden of this disease. In 2022, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria – a tragedy we have the tools to prevent, “Pate lamented.

    He further stated that this is not only a health crisis but an economic and developmental emergency. “Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures, and, compounds the challenges of poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $ 1.1 billion, emphasizing the urgent economic necessity of eradicating this disease.”

    Unveiling the advisory body, Pate noted its mission to address malaria decisively. “The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP underscores the economic imperative of elimination,” he added.

    The initiative aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which is part of the administration’s renewed hope agenda to transform the health sector.

    While acknowledging the urgency of the task as reflected in the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025, to amongst others reduce malaria prevalence to below 10 percent, and halve malaria-related mortality by 50 deaths per 1,000 live births; Pate also highlighted the importance of traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots support and influence behavioural change.

    This advocacy approach, he emphasised, will complement AMEN, in promoting the use of insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention, and vaccines.

    Collaboration as a key driver

    Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, praised the formation of the advisory body, describing it as a team of globally recognized experts.

    “The advisory group will provide evidence-based strategies to reduce the malaria burden, prioritize elimination in government budgets, and chart realistic paths to a malaria-free Nigeria,” Salako stated.

    He added that success hinges on the coordinated efforts of private sector stakeholders, international partners, healthcare workers, and communities.

    The Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) is made up of globally renowned experts under the leadership of Prof. Rose Leke and is tasked with refocusing on advancing evidence-based solutions that address current challenges, ensuring that malaria elimination is prioritised in the budgets and plans of all levels of government and, creating frameworks for accountability that ensure sustained progress.