FG Unveils Plans for 28,000 Nigerian Health Workers Affected by USAID Salary Freeze Under Trump

The Nigerian government has announced measures to absorb 28,000 health workers whose salaries were blocked due to USAID funding restrictions under former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The federal government has revealed plans to incorporate 28,000 health workers into Nigeria’s healthcare system. These employees were previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, revealed during an interview on Channels Television the government’s dedication to decreasing dependence on foreign aid while enhancing the country’s healthcare sector.

Pate recognized the crucial role played by the US government, especially in fighting HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Nevertheless, he stressed that Nigeria is committed to taking complete ownership of its healthcare system, aiming for sustainability and long-lasting enhancements in medical services.

He remarked, “High-quality healthcare comes at a cost. As a nation, we have yet to invest in it adequately while seeking the best possible care.”

On the domestic front, we had previously not made investments. However, over the past 18 months, there has been a deliberate effort to enhance and strategically allocate investments where they are most needed — at the foundational level.

Can you believe that over 70 percent of our drugs are imported using foreign exchange resources we don’t actually possess?

We are a strong nation, dedicated to fulfilling our responsibilities. While we welcome and appreciate any support from others, we do not rely on it or plead for assistance.

There are 28,000 health workers currently being paid with support from the US government. While this assistance is appreciated, these health workers are Nigerian, and we need to transition them accordingly.

Our strategy, well in advance of the shift in US policy, has been to enhance national ownership.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on foreign aid that included a temporary halt in funding for HIV treatment programs in developing nations.

The executive orders also impacted the activities of USAID and other U.S. government foreign interventions.

As a result, the US Department of State halted the distribution of funds from PEPFAR, which is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

PEPFAR is supplying HIV treatment to over 20 million people affected by the disease worldwide, including in Nigeria. This support extends to 566,000 children under the age of 15.

The United Nations’ joint programme on HIV/AIDS announced that the US government had approved a waiver, enabling people living with HIV to maintain access to treatment.

Remember that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently sanctioned a budget of N4.5 billion for acquiring HIV treatment packages to aid Nigerians affected by HIV/AIDS.