The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate says the country can cater to its citizens’ health despite the US Agency for International Development (USAID)’s exit.
Speaking to newsmen, Pate said the Federal Government is not bothered about the move and is capable of funding healthcare for the people.
The Minister said Nigeria is full of appreciation to the US government for the contribution they have made, he however added that the country is capable of continuing from where the US stopped.
According to him, the American people have contributed to taking care of more than One point three million Nigerians on antiretroviral therapies, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health conditions.
Pate said the change in US government policy is the determination of the American people which the federal government cannot complain about.
He said what the Federal Government has determined is that the country is primarily responsible for the health of Nigerians.
He said the government will cope with the new policy and is working “towards exiting the dependency on external assistance” for healthcare in the country.
