The Nigerian government has announced plans to retain 28,000 health workers whose salaries were previously covered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), whose activities have been halted by US President Donald Trump.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, while speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme, on Friday, announced that the government is working to absorb the health workers into the country’s healthcare system and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
Mr Pate acknowledged the significant contribution of the US government to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, particularly in the areas of HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
He, however, emphasised that Nigeria is determined to take ownership of its healthcare sector and reduce its dependence on external aid.
“There are health workers, 28,000 of them, who were being paid through US government support. While it has been appreciated, those health workers are Nigerians. We have to find ways to transit them,” he said.
