The Federal Government has restated its commitment to improving healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas.

Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance when he hosted a delegation from the West African College of Physicians at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, November 22, 2024.

He acknowledged the critical role of medical professionals in Nigeria’s health sector.

The Vice President said that the government was committed to supporting and retaining healthcare professionals.

Shettima commended healthcare professionals for their dedication to service despite various challenges.

”Yours is a very noble profession, and many of the young ones are opting to leave the country but you did not.

”It is not because you have not had options, but you felt a moral obligation to stay at home and serve,” he said.

The Vice President also assured the delegation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to addressing healthcare challenges.

He highlighted the appointment of Muhammadu Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, saying that the minister had a deep understanding of the health sector.

“We will treat members of our professional bodies with dignity and respect.

“We will provide the enabling ground for you to work in Nigeria,” Mr Shettima promised.

He said that in 2014, as the governor of Borno, he sponsored some female indigenes of the state to study Medicine and Surgery in Sudan.

”The students have all graduated and licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to practise medicine in Nigeria, and are under the employment of the state government,” Shettima said.

“We have a moral obligation to assist our people. In the fullness of time, we will have a cause to rejoice. We will support you,” he added. 

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Jeremiah Madaki, thanked the Vice President for supporting the 48th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians.

Mr Madaki expressed delight at the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare system.

“We are here to thank you for your encouragement and for advancing discussions on health system revitalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Mr Madaki also gave  assurance of the college’s commitment to policy advocacy and plans to work closely with the government to implement evidence-based policies to improve healthcare outcomes.