The Federal Government has allocated N260 billion for the revitalisation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) nationwide.
During a sectoral ministerial press briefing in Abuja, held to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, announced the initiative. He stated that the number of PHCs would be increased from 8,300 to 17,000 to enhance service delivery across the country.
“I’m pleased to announce that N260 billion is now available at the state level for the revitalisation of PHCs. This funding comes from the International Development Association and the Basic HealthCare Provision Fund,” Prof Pate explained. He emphasized the necessity of resources for the successful revitalisation of PHCs and noted that the government would provide states with guidelines for implementing the upgrades and equipping medical facilities.
To ensure accountability, Prof Pate highlighted that the disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is done publicly, with hotlines established for reporting any misuse of resources. He added that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been tasked with monitoring the implementation at the state level.
Empowering PHCs and Enhancing Healthcare Infrastructure
Prof Pate reported that over 1,400 PHCs now have skilled birth attendants, and more than 2,400 health workers have been recruited nationwide to provide essential health services in rural areas.
In the past year, 201 infrastructural projects were completed in tertiary health facilities, with significant equipment procured across the 36 states. Additionally, cancer treatment infrastructure has been expanded.
Efforts to strengthen the health sector’s value chain were also highlighted, focusing on reducing investment barriers to support local production of medical essentials. A draft executive order, pending presidential approval, aims to streamline the import of raw materials and equipment for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This initiative seeks to enable domestic production of crucial medical supplies, including test kits, vaccines, and mosquito nets.
“We have questioned why bed nets for malaria prevention are produced outside Nigeria when we have the capacity to produce them locally,” Prof Pate remarked.
Tackling Brain Drain in the Healthcare Sector
Prof Pate outlined strategic measures to address brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Enrollment quotas for medical, nursing, and other health professional schools will significantly increase from 28,000 to 64,000 annually. Furthermore, the government plans to train 120,000 frontline health workers over the next three years.
Training for frontline health workers, especially those in rural communities, is set to begin soon, with revised guidelines and necessary resources already in place. This initiative aims to enhance their skills in conjunction with the improved infrastructure and equipment.
Strengthening Health Security
Prof Pate emphasized the federal government’s commitment to enhancing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Additional resources have been approved to boost the NCDC’s capacity to manage diseases such as diphtheria, measles, meningitis, cholera, and other communicable diseases effectively.
These developments represent a proactive approach to fortifying Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and improving disease surveillance and response capabilities.
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