Dr Muhammad Ali Pate was appointed the Honourable Minister of State for Health in Nigeria in July 2011.
His appointment follows a successful run as the Executive Director and Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) where he led strategic policies and programs to restructure and strengthen primary healthcare in Nigeria to improve access to basic health services, improve quality of care, strengthen community engagement and develop a high-performing health workforce.
NPHCDA under Dr. Pate’s leadership led integrated programs that achieved an unprecedented reduction in polio cases by over 90%; reduced the maternal and child mortality rate through the deployment of over 4,000 midwives to rural areas under the midwives service scheme (MSS). As well as introducing new vaccines into the National immunization policy 2009 (Haemophilus influenze type b, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and rota virus), he created an enabling environment to attract partners to the Agency - including political leaders at all levels, traditional and religious leaders, development agencies, faith-based organizations, foundations and the organized private sector.
Career History
Dr. Pate had an extensive career spanning over 10 years at the World Bank where he held several senior positions including Senior Health Specialist and Human Development Sector Coordinator for the East Asia/Pacific Region; and Senior Health Specialist for the African Region. As well as serving on the agenda committee of the World Economic Forum, Dr Pate was appointed Adjunct Professor of Global Health of the Duke University Global health Institute on May 1st, 2009.
Qualification
Dr Pate completed his MB; BS degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria and is also an American Board-Certified MD in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.
He did his MBA (Health Sector Concentration) from Duke University in the USA.
He holds a Masters degree in Health System Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
Professional Licensure
• Medical License, District of Columbia Medical Board, U.S.A., 2001-to-date
• Medical Licensure, The Gambia Medical Council, 1993-1995
• Full Medical License, Nigerian Medical and Dental Council, 1993
Relevant recognition, Awards and Nominations
• Nominated for the prestigious Prince Mahidol Award for Global Health by the Federal Government of Nigeria May 2011
• World Bank Spot Award for Effective Team Leadership In 2008 (Country Director for the Pacific Department)
• World Bank Spot Award for Effective Team Leadership in 2006 (Director East Asia Human Development)
• World Bank Spot Award for Effective Team Leadership in 2005 (Director, Africa Region Human Development).
• World Bank Spot Award for Contribution to the HDNHE 2002 (Director Health Nutrition and Population)
• Excellence Award, Peer Reviewer for the United States Journal of the National Medical Association 2003
• Outstanding Performance Award, Howard University Hospital Internal Medicine 1998
• Merit Award, Ahmadu Bello University Medical Students Association 1992
• Service Award. International Federation of Medical Students Association 1990
• Merit Award, Federation of African Medical Students Association, 1989
• Distinctions in Anatomy and Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, 1987
• Distinction in Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria 1986.
