Health minister Muhammad Pate has called on health practitioners to be more dedicated during public service to foster meaningful growth in the sector.

Mr Pate made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the book ‘The journey outlives the traveller’ authored by Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS country director.

The book is centred on Mr Zekeng’s journey in the public and global health sector that spanned four decades from early beginnings in Cameroon to leadership roles across Africa and beyond.

This is based on working at the frontlines of HIV and AIDS responses, through some of the most complex health emergencies such as Ebola and COVID-19, global health diplomacy and social work development.

The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, Mohamed Fall, commended Mr Zekeng for his initiative in writing the piece, describing his journey in public health as a masterclass in leadership.

Gambo Aliyu, former director-general of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, revealed that the author offered perspectives on the multiplicity and complexities of global health governance and leadership in action.

According to him, the 600-page book sheds light on the often unseen human side of leadership, complex and sometimes agonising decisions that must be taken, moments of hard-won triumph and collective progress.

(NAN)