By Asmau Ahmad
The World Health Organization (WHO), said the COVID-19, pandemic has shown that healthcare is a critical aspect of any country’s economy.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Africa Regional Director, World Health Organization (WHO AFRO), said this at two days Primary Health Care Summit, organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Moeti commended the Nigerian government for the moved to reimagine its PHC across the country.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Ms Mary Beth Leonard said that the US government is pleased to have a close partnership with the Government of Nigeria on the COVID-19 response.
Beth noted that the United States had partnered with Nigeria to invest in the health and well-being of the Nigerians, from providing anti-retroviral treatment to over 1.7 million people living with HIV to scaling up immunizations including COVID-19, malaria, disease outbreaks.
She noted that the diplomatic community including the U.S stands ready to support Nigeria in the PHC revitalization process for us to achieve a common goal.
Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said that PHCs does not only meet the critical health needs of the citizens, but it was the frontline to respond to infectious diseases outbreak.
Berkley said that Nigeria is like many other countries where COVID-19 had taken a toll and affect the health system.
“I commend the Nigeria Government for the 10 years re-imagining the PHC in Nigeria. This step represents an opportunity for health equity, especially for the vulnerable,” he added.
In her goodwill message, Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer, Dangote Foundation, said the summit was very timely.
“COVID-19 highlighted the vulnerability of the country’s PHCs. The lessons we want to learn going forward is how we can do better with the funds expended on PHC in Nigeria.,” Youssoufou said.
The summit brought together national elected leaders, top government officials, and leading private sector executives to present ambitious and attainable plans that will lead to tangible and largescale changes to Nigeria’s primary health care (PHC) system by the year 2030.
