- Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate cautioned against duplicating tertiary health institutions, emphasizing the need to optimize existing facilities amid limited resources
- Pate supported a proposed Federal College of Health Technology in Adamawa, aiming to enhance health education and strengthen the local workforce
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, has cautioned against the unnecessary duplication of tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the country already has enough facilities to address its healthcare needs and urged a focus on optimizing existing institutions for improved efficiency amid limited national resources.
At a public hearing on 16 healthcare-related bills, organized by the House Committee on Health Institutions, Pate—represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, a ministry director—voiced support for initiatives enhancing healthcare services, research, and training nationwide.
Pate highlighted ongoing cardiology research and questioned the need for a proposed National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Research, and Treatment Centre in Kano.
He pointed out that establishing a new center would pressure the government financially, especially given current cost-cutting priorities. “All federal teaching hospitals and medical centers, including those in the North West, are already mandated to treat cardiovascular diseases, conduct research, and train specialists in this area,” he noted.
Pate also referenced the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos, which oversees national medical research, similar to U.S., U.K., and Ghana institutions.
However, Pate expressed support for a proposed Federal College of Health Technology in Song, Adamawa State, as it would expand access to health education, strengthen the local healthcare workforce, and boost the region’s economy.