Muhammad Ali Pate: Honoured to join NTLC meeting on the PHC delivery with Tunji Alausa

Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria, shared a post on X:

“It was an honour to join today’s meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Primary Healthcare (PHC) Delivery, alongside the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa. The meeting, organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, was graced by the esteemed presence of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Bill Gates, and their respective teams. The critical role played by traditional and religious leaders in safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities cannot be overstated. Over the past 15 years, the NTLC has been instrumental in advancing efforts to expand immunization and transform primary healthcare in Nigeria.

One of Nigeria’s key achievements in recent years is the successful eradication of the wild polio virus. This victory was made possible not only through medical interventions but also through the unwavering support and leadership of religious and traditional leaders, who mobilized communities and ensured that children received life-saving vaccines—a modern-day miracle. Equally, the Council has been pivotal in improving maternal and child health by advocating for safe childbirth practices and promoting access to prenatal and postnatal care. These efforts have led to healthier outcomes for mothers and children. The Committee’s leadership in advocacy has enhanced routine immunization coverage, especially in remote and underserved areas, though there is still much work to be done to reduce the number of zero-dose children.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), is committed to building on these successes by employing a sector-wide approach to enhance population health outcomes. I extend my deepest gratitude to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, all Royal Highnesses, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Dangote Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, the Gates Foundation, and all our development partners, including UNICEF Nigeria, WHO Nigeria, the Sultan Foundation, Chigarin Foundation, and others. Your collective commitment has saved lives and set a global standard for public health interventions. Together, we have created a model of collaboration rooted in our traditions and tailored to the needs of our communities.”

Source: Muhammad Ali Pate/X