Nigerian launches National health fellows’ programme

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• As Tinubu gives 774 participants’ automatic employment

BY BONNY AMADI WITH AGENCY REPORT

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Thursday launched the national health fellows’ programme, an initiative to revitalise Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.

Addressing 774 fellows in Abuja at the launch, Tinubu urged them to monitor primary healthcare centres across all LGAs, promising employment after their one-year service.

The president hailed the fellows as “vanguards of a new era”. The initiative aims to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to drive meaningful change in the health sector.

The programme is part of a broader initiative to up- grade existing primary healthcare centres and construct over 8,800 new ones across the country.

The fellows began training on February 27 under the sector-wide approach (SWAp) coordination office.

Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, reiterated the role of the fellows in driving innovation and expanding primary healthcare centres.

“We are proud to see young Nigerians take on this critical role in transforming our health sector,” Pate said.

“These fellows will serve as social accountability agents, ensuring that our healthcare centres are performing optimally. “They are the best of the crop, selected from over 60,000 applicants through a rigorous process.

“This programme is a gamechanger, providing training, fieldwork, and mentorship over 12 months.

“It requires a full-time commitment, and fellows will receive a stipend to support their participation and living expenses.”

The minister said the fellows will be young catalysts for change in their communities.

“These are future leaders of the health sector who will accelerate the pace of health sector reforms, im- prove accountability, and also get the opportunity to be coached and mentored,” he said.

“So, they are contributing to actualizing the vision of the President for a prosperous country that is also healthy.

“So, the president is giving you this as an opportunity. So, what do you do with an opportunity?

“You seize it. Build yourself. Learn. You have coaches, and mentors who guide you, particularly, mentors in primary health care. Participate in the synchronous planning. Think deeply about your interests.