FG To Construct 10,000 PHC facilities -Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the federal government will construct 10,000 Primary Health Care centers across the country as part of plans to revitalize the PHC service in Nigeria.
The President stated this Tuesday at the flag off of Kuchigoro Primary Health Care Centre, Abuja, where he assured that lack of money will no longer be a barrier to access to health care in the rural areas.
He disclosed that the administration has promised to revitalize one Primary Health Care Centre in each of the political wards in the country, adding that ” So far, we have commenced the revitalization of one Primary Health Care in each senatorial zone in the country.
“Our vision is to revitalise 10,000 Primary Health Care Facilities in Nigeria using a phased approach. The first phase of this approach is what we are flagging off today. It will signal the revitalization of the first 109 Primary Health Care facilities across the 36 states and the FCT.”
The President who also used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that he will fulfill his campaign promises to them, disclosed that the revitalization of the health care centers in Nigeria remains one of the cardinal programmed his administration will pursue to a logical conclusion.
“My presence here today demonstrates our administration’s commitment to put health of Nigerians as a top priority. Our goal of revitalizing the PHC centres is to ensure that quality basic health care services are delivered to majority of Nigerians irrespective of their location in the country.”
The President also assured that his administration will “focus more on the people living in the rural areas and the vulnerable population in our society such as women, children under 5years of age and the elderly in collaboration with national and international partners.”
“Let me state clearly, that this revitalization programme is in alignment with the agenda of our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC)”
“We did promise to provide succor to the poor while at the same time providing for all other segments of the society”
“I am aware that out of pocket payment for health constitute over 70% of total health expenditure.”
” This is more than the globally recommended 30-40%. However, only less than 5% of the total population is covered by any kind of health insurance or risk protection mechanism which is against the recommended 90% coverage by the World Health Organisation. Our vision is to reverse this unsatisfactory situation and better care for the poor and needy.”
He noted further that the Kuchigoro Primary Health Care Centre was renovated as a model primary health care centre where quality health care services will be obtained at little or no cost to the beneficiaries.
