Revaltilisation of PHC: FG to train 20 women in each local government ward

As part of efforts in boosting health services at the primary health care (PHC) centres across the federation, Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says it has concluded plans to train 20 women in every local governments ward as health extension service workers.

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib disclosed this yesterday during a quarterly media interactive forum in Abuja. According to him, part of their job will be to create demand for health services among the people living at the rural areas.

They will also be responsible in giving first aid services as they go from house to house knocking at people’s door to find out who amongs the household has health challenge.for example, if a woman goes into labour or start bleeding in the process,these women will first of all provide the first treatment they need before helping to take them to the nearest health facility center.

The Executive Director added that apart from the initiative helping to stimulate and create demand for health services it will also help to prevent millions of preventable deaths that may likely occur within the neighbourhood lamenting that a lot of people do not want to patronize the primary health care centre within their locality but prefer to go to tertiary health institutions.

In the last few years we have provided some interventions like drugs but what we have not done is to create demand for people so we have put in place this project to help create such services and I know it will go far in addressing some of the health challnges being faced by our women and children at the rural areas.

He argued, ‘it is part of our responsibility to build a reputable health system that will provide good health for our people and there is no way we will have the kind of health we desire if the primary health care centres are not made attractive to the populace.

On sustainability of the programme, he noted, ” already the governor’s are happy over it and are ready to commit their own counterpart funds. Like we told them last week during a two-day retreat on implementation of primary health care under one roof, that there is every need for them to invest in the health of their people because that is the only way to campaign for votes during election rather than sharing money and they all agreed so they are ready not only in putting money but also taking ownership of the projects than seeing it as government’s own.

Speaking further he said, ” we are also taking specific steps to address the gaps on our routine immunization. We are setting up a national key center to focus on routine immunization, it will involve getting all experts and Government staff to look at the data with a view of finding everlasting solutions to the problems of gaps in immunization and be able to achieve 100percent in the immunization coverage in the country within the shortest period of time.

The Executive Director on behalf of the agency pledged judicious utilisation of funds in providing the needed health care for Nigerians adding that the agency has also designed a payback package for her best performing staff. ‘ we will visit such a person village and identify the kind of health services his or her people needs and we will build such for them. If for example in such persons village they lack portable water, we will because of such staff build such facility for their village to show appreciation for a well done job.