The Federal Government has commenced training of successful applicants into its one year National Health Fellows Programme.
According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry of Health, Alaba Balogun issued on Thursday in Abuja, the programme targets achieving meaningful change with innovation in the health sector.
The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare , Prof Ali Pate while addressing the National Health Fellows selected on merit across the 774 local governments of Nigeria, charged them to regard the programme as a gift and opportunity presented to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“So the President is giving you this as an opportunity. So what do you do with an opportunity? Build yourself, Learn from Coaches and mentors who will guide you. Particularly mentors in primary health care. Participate in the synchronous planning. Think deeply about your interest”, he stated.
Prof Pate explained that the National Health Fellows programme underscored the commitment of the Federal Government to invest in and boost human capital development, aligning with the renewed hope agenda of health reforms initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He urged the National Health Fellows to view their training as an opportunity to learn and develop leadership traits of honesty courage and resilience as well as, for mentorship for a greater and prosperous Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the various training centres in Abuja;
Prof. Pate said: ” These are future leaders of the health sector who will accelerate the pace of health sector reforms, improve accountability, but also get the opportunity to be coached and mentored.
So they are contributing to actualizing the vision of the President for a prosperous country that is also healthy,he added.
“We are pleased to see all of them, very qualified, merit based selection with a huge representation of women, men from each local government of this country.
“We have about 359,000 of them who applied, who were not successful, but will be encouraged to participate in what we call the Associate Health Fellows”.
One of the participant, Mr Godswill Michael from Nsenibom local government in Akwa Ibom State affirmed that the selection process has renewed his hope and faith in the country. He further stated that the Fellowship training would upscale his skills to contribute meaningfully to the development of his community.
Also, Nadia Abdullahi Ahmed from Bauchi local government, Bauchi State; lauded the initiative, describing it as a huge opportunity and stepping stone to achieve greater heights by God’s grace.
She said the training process from the application stage through to selection was seamless and transparent.