The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate and the chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, have jointly inaugurated a Joint Task Team of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the ICPC to strengthen preventive controls, improve accountability and protect public investments across the health sector.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tuesday, Prof Pate said the initiative was designed to identify institutional vulnerabilities, close loopholes and prevent the diversion or misuse of resources before they undermine health service delivery.

He stated that every naira invested in the health system carries an obligation to reach health facilities, health workers and Nigerians who depend on public healthcare services.

“When those resources are diverted, the cost is not abstract. It is a medicine that never arrives, equipment that is unavailable when needed, or a service that falls short. In this sector, corruption can cost lives,” he stated.

The minister declared that the ministry would not tolerate corruption, adding that effective governance must go beyond reacting to wrongdoing after it occurs to proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities within the system.