Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has lauded the Cross River State Government for what he described as “strong alignment with national health priorities and visible, ongoing reforms across the state’s health system.” The Minister gave the commendation on Wednesday during a courtesy visit on the state government upon his arrival in Calabar for the high-level sessions of the 66th National Council on Health (NCH).
Prof. Pate said Cross River has demonstrated remarkable commitment to upgrading both primary and secondary healthcare facilities, strengthening the health workforce, and improving service delivery in ways that mirror the Federal Government’s renewed health agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The progress we have seen in Cross River State is impressive. The state is clearly among those at the forefront of implementing reforms that align with national priorities,” Pate stated, adding that collaboration between federal and state governments remains the foundation for a resilient national health system.
The Minister highlighted ongoing national efforts, such as improvements in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, expansion of the primary healthcare network, training of over 70,000 frontline workers, and upgrades of tertiary hospitals, and emphasized that such progress is only sustainable when states like Cross River actively drive reforms at the subnational level.
He praised the state for its hospitality and readiness to host the Council, describing the NCH as “Nigeria’s highest health policy-making body,” mandated under the National Health Act 2014 to shape the direction of the country’s health governance, financing, quality standards and health security systems.
Prof. Pate expressed gratitude to the Obong of Calabar for his royal blessings to the national health delegation and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting states that demonstrate clear dedication to healthcare delivery.
He stressed that the resolutions emerging from the NCH in Calabar will shape Nigeria’s health trajectory in the coming year, with focus areas including governance, financing, quality improvement, service delivery, and emergency preparedness.
Receiving the Minister at the State Executive Chamber, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, said the administration has made the health sector a top priority. He noted that the government has, in the last two years, invested heavily in rehabilitating and equipping health facilities, providing essential medicines, improving water and sanitation systems, and expanding operational support across all 18 local government areas.
Odey highlighted the near completion of the state-of-the-art General Hospital at Ikom, describing it as one of the largest secondary health facilities currently being delivered in the state. He added that the reforms are being driven through a coordinated agenda led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk.
“Every request concerning healthcare has received urgent attention from this administration. We are deliberately rebuilding the health system from the ground up,” Odey affirmed.
He also invited the Minister and his delegation to this year’s Carnival Calabar festivities, stating that the state is proud to host a national gathering of health leaders and policymakers.
The 66th National Council on Health continues in Calabar, where ministers, commissioners, development partners, and experts are deliberating on key policies to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.
