The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called for significantly increased domestic funding to support mass vaccination programmes across Nigeria.
He warned that the country's heavy reliance on international donor support poses serious risks to the long-term sustainability of immunization efforts and overall national health security.
Speaking during the Ministry's 2026 budget defence presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Pate highlighted that recent health sector reforms initiated under the Tinubu administration have helped secure continued donor backing for immunization coverage, particularly in the fight against infectious diseases.
However, he stressed the urgent need to reduce dependence on external funding sources.
"Over-reliance on donor support threatens long-term sustainability and national health security," Pate said, advocating for greater allocation of domestic resources to ensure vaccination programmes remain robust and independent in the future.
In related developments at the same budget defence sessions, several Medical Directors from federal health institutions appealed to the Federal Government for subsidies on high-cost specialty treatments.
They specifically requested financial support for orthopedic care and other expensive specialized healthcare services to make them more accessible to patients.
The minister's remarks come amid broader discussions on health financing challenges. Pate also disclosed that the ministry faced severe constraints in 2025, receiving only ₦36 million out of the ₦218 billion appropriated for capital projects, a situation he attributed to delays in cash releases under the current federal cash management system.
The House Committee Chairman, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, directed the ministry to provide detailed records of donor funds received and their utilisation to enhance transparency and oversight.
