By Iyemah David
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has unveiled plans to reinvigorate primary health facilities to enhance access to quality service delivery in the country by 2024.
Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, said this at the end of a strategic meeting of the agency, on Saturday in Abuja.
He reiterated commitment to the transformative goals aimed at improving facilities and healthcare service delivery to all Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved areas.
According to him, the initiative seeks to address the pressing need for quality primary healthcare and ensure equitable access to essential medical services nationwide.
Dr Aina said that under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, and the coordinating minister for Health and Social Welfare, the agency has identified four pillars to guide its operations.
“The first pillar focuses on the governance of the health sector, including strengthening health institutions to deliver on the National Health Act.
“The second pillar aims to ensure equitable and quality access to health services for all Nigerians.
“The third pillar involves improving the business of health in Nigeria and the supply chain. While the fourth pillar centred around health security,” he said.
He said the NPHCDA had conducted assessments and engaged stakeholders to determine the direction it needs to take.
Sequel to the exercise, he said, the agency developed a strategy to address these priorities, adding that one aspect of the strategy was to invest in functional primary health centres, with 8,300 centres currently being funded under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
He said the agency plans to expand the number of facilities to ensure that they have the necessary workforce, commodities and infrastructure.
Dr Aina said the strategy also focused to produce, equip, and retain frontline health workers.
“The government will work with the NPHCDA, states, and the Federal Ministry of Health to improve the production, retention, and satisfaction of health workers.
“The government also aims to lower the cost of health commodities through pooled procurement and support local manufacturing of medicine,” he said.
He said that the NPHCDA’s strategy also included making changes to the disbursement of the BHPF to incentivise quality and give facilities flexibility in using the fund.
According to him, the agency will collaborate with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), to enhance health security and response to outbreaks and emergencies.
“To implement these strategies, the NPHCDA will undergo reforms to better structure and engage with states and partners,” he said.
Aina said that transparency and accountability measures would also be put in place, with regular communication to Nigerians on progress and two-way channels for feedback.
He said that the NPHCDA’s ultimate goal was to ensure that all Nigerians have access to the necessary health services, reduce mortality, sickness and improve the overall health of Nigerians.
