NPHCDA boss pledges total commitment to Primary Health Care

The Executives Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, has reiterated the agency’s commitment in improving and providing quality interventions in the primary health care facilities in the country that will help reduce medical expenses for its teeming citizens.

He further added that government is committed to bridging the gap between the rich and the gap ,when it comes to access of primary health care services in Nigeria. The Executive Director disclosed this in Abuja at a two day meeting with the governors forum and the state primary health care coordinators.

According to him, “if the health need of the citizens is met at the PHC centres ,there will be no need for accessing the services of the tertiary health care institutions.

The primary health care centre is the first point of care for most Nigerians, especially in the grassroots areas. Hence, the federal government is committed to tackling the health need of the citizens at the initial stage, before any complication arises,” he added.

Dr. Shuaib also reiterated the willingness of the federal government to commit human resources and provide drugs and equipment to the different facilities in the country.
We will ensure that the human resources are well trained to give the necessary care at the PHC centres.
We will work with the private sector, NGOs, and the different state government to deliver quality health care services,” he added.Speaking further the executive director noted that he will ensure that one primary health care centre in each of 10,000,wards is doing well.

We have only 4,000 PHC centres that are working presently,he noted.
He said the agency will look at the centres where the basic infrastructures are not working; such as electricity and water, and work with the private sector in bridging the necessary gap.

The director general of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum Secretariat, Asishana Okauru, said the group is committed to reducing infant and maternal death in the country. We look forward to eliminating the health challenges being faced by women and children at the primary health care centres. We will also ensure that all Nigerians have access to good health care services,” he added.

He further noted that the group is seeking for better ways in which ordinary Nigerians will have access to quality and efficient health care delivery, despite the location.