The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has outlined its priorities to reposition Nigeria’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system and tackle critical health challenges.
The NPHCDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyi Aina, said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Aina highlighted the agency’s top three goals: improving PHC functionality and expanding coverage, increasing the quality and capacity of health workers, and implementing targeted interventions to reduce maternal and under-five mortality rates.
According to him, the agency aims to revamp PHCs by expanding the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities from 8,400 to 17,600 over the next few years.
“This includes investing in dignified infrastructure, 24-hour services powered by solar energy, and accommodation for healthcare workers.
”President Bola Tinubu has shown commitment by increasing the health sector budget for 2024, which is the highest ever.
“This funding is enabling us to revitalise PHCs with better infrastructure, essential medicines, and motivated health workers,” he said.
To tackle the shortage of healthcare workers, Aina said that the agency had launched a large-scale retraining programme for 120,000 frontline health workers over four years.
“Already, 43,000 workers have been trained under this initiative.
“Efforts are also being made to improve staff retention by creating a conducive working environment, providing accommodation, and offering special incentives for rural workers,” he said.
He said that in line with Tinubu’s commitment to reduce maternal mortality, the agency had rolled out the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative, which includes free cesarean sections for eligible Nigerians.
“PHCs are also being equipped to handle both infectious and non-communicable diseases, with services like diabetes and hypertension screening integrated into their operations,” he said.
He acknowledged past challenges, such as poor funding and coordination among federal, state, and non-governmental actors.
He, however, said that the Federal Ministry of Health had introduced a sector-wide approach to unify efforts and maximise resources.
“The agency has also partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services to ensure transparency and accountability in fund management,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of community involvement, adding that the agency works closely with community-based organisations and traditional leaders to influence behaviour change and expand service delivery.
Reacting to the agency’s ambitious goals and ongoing reforms, some stakeholders said that it signaled a new era for Nigeria’s PHC system.
They said that it aimed to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can access quality healthcare services.
Meanwhile, Dr Gabriel Adakole, a Public Health expert, said that the NPHCDA’s focus on revitalising primary healthcare was long overdue, as PHCs remained the backbone of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
“Expanding BHCPF facilities to 17,600 is commendable, but the real challenge will be ensuring consistent funding and effective management of these facilities.
“Without addressing corruption and inefficiencies in the health system, these plans can face setbacks,” he said.
Dr Amina Yusuf, a Maternal Health Specialist, said that the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative, especially the provision of free cesarean sections, was a game-changer in reducing maternal deaths.
However, Yusuf said that this would only succeed if rural PHCs were adequately equipped and staffed.
She said that retaining skilled health workers in underserved areas remained a significant hurdle, even with incentives like accommodation.
Dr Tony Onwuchekwa, Health Systems Researcher, said that the proposed integration of chronic disease management into PHCs was a step in the right direction, given the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
However, Onwuchekwa said that training healthcare workers to handle both infectious and chronic diseases would require a comprehensive curriculum overhaul and sustained mentorship programs.
Dr Ngozi Udochi, Health Economist, said that the president’s budgetary increase for healthcare was promising, but the real test would be in the efficient allocation and utilisation of resources.
Udochi said that investing in solar-powered facilities and essential drugs was commendable, but regular audits and community involvement would be critical in ensuring sustainability.
Dr Fatima Bello, Global Health Advocate, said that the emphasis on transparency and accountability through partnerships with anti-corruption agencies was a bold move.
However, Bello said that it was essential to ensure that these mechanisms were implemented at all levels, especially in rural areas, where fund mismanagement has often gone unnoticed.
