By Zayamu Hassan
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has called on traditional rulers in the country to continue to support its efforts in improving Primary Health Care services with particular focus on Routine Immunisation (RI), maternal and child health.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, made the call on Monday in Abuja, at the second Quarter Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care delivery (NTLC).
Represented by Dr. Usman Adamu of the NPHCDA, he pledged to continue to evolve strategies aimed at improving and strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“We once again solicit your continued support for primary health care generally with special focus on RI and maternal and child health interventions. On our part, we will continue to evolve strategies to improve and strengthen primary health care for the benefit of all Nigerians” Shuaib said.
While commending the efforts of the royal fathers in supporting the fight against COVID-19, the executive director also appreciated their efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, especially at the community level.
He said: “During the vaccination roll-out, advocacy visits were made to some emirs, sensitization meetings were also held to empower the traditional leaders with the right information about the vaccines.
“Your Highnesses, your demonstration of leadership by example by being vaccinated publicly has contributed in no small measure to our successful phase 1 COVID-19 vaccination roll-out which is formally closing today.
“Your Highness, there have been reports of cases of vaccine hesitancy across the States and one of the community engagement strategies we have initiated to mitigate this challenge is the conduct of Town Hall Meetings to address concerns of the public and increase uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“This is to improve community knowledge of the facts and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and to enhance community ownership and participation in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.”
Dr Shuaib further explained that Town Hall meetings will be conducted at four levels – Zonal, State, LGA, and Ward levels, stating that already the Zonal level Town Hall meetings have been conducted successfully for North Central Zone in Nasarawa state and North East Zone in Adamawa state.
In a remark, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, lamented that RI coverage is very poor and cases of maternal mortality are still unacceptably high in Nigerian communities.
Represented by Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, the Sultan said they are aware of funding challenges for the effective engagement of traditional and religious leaders on the issues.
However, he said as leaders they are deeply concerned with welfare of their peopleand assured the NPHCDA executive director and other partners that, “we would continue to do our utmost best to support all health and related programmes of the Federal Government.
He also sought for a regular avenue to be able to feedback to the agency and partners on true situations at the grassroots.
