Buhari pledges 10,000 primary health care centres’ revitalization

In line with his administration’s vision to provide quality basic health care services to Nigerians, irrespective of their location, President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to revitalise 10,000 primary health care facilities in the country, using a phased approach.

Buhari said the focus would be more on people living in rural areas and vulnerable population in the society such as women, children under five years of age and elderly in collaboration with national and international partners.

Delivering his address during flag-off of primary health care revitalisation programme and commissioning of Kuchigoro primary health care centre, on Tuesday in Abuja, the president explained that the first phase would signal the revitalization of 109 primary health care facilities across 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The president who recalled that his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) promised to provide succor to the poor while at same time providing for all other segments of the society, assured that government would continue to ensure that large numbers of the citizenry have access to quality basic health care services.

According to him, provision of National Health Act, 2014 for Basic Health Care Provision Fund is in the process of being implemented, adding that his administration would fulfill all promises made to the people.

He said “Let me state clearly, that this revitalization programme is in alignment with the agenda of our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). We did promise to provide succor to the poor while at the same time providing for all other segments of the society. I am aware that out of pocket payment for health constitute over 70% of total health expenditure. This is more than the globally recommended 30-40%.

“However, only less than 5% of the total population is covered by any kind of health insurance or risk protection mechanism which is against the recommended 90% coverage by the World Health Organisation. Our vision is to reverse this unsatisfactory situation and better care for the poor and needy.

“Our Administration in recognition of this promised to revitalize one Primary Health Care Centre in each of the political wards in the country. So far, we have commenced the revitalization of one Primary Health Care in each senatorial zone in the country.

“Our vision is to revitalise 10,000 Primary Health Care Facilities in Nigeria using a phased approach. The first phase of this approach is what we are flagging off today. It will signal the revitalization of the first 109 Primary Health Care facilities across the 36 states and the FCT.”

Buhari noted that provision of quality health care service would reverse poor health indices in the country, expressing hope that death during child birth would reduce, children would no more be dying needlessly as a result of vaccine preventable diseases or common ailment.
He commended Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole for ensuring the programme was flagged off, a move he said served as a clarion call to the 36 state governors to prioritise revitalization of primary health care centres.

The president also expressed gratitude various development partners which include, United States Government, World Bank, European Union and Department For International Development for supporting the health sector in providing quality health service to Nigerians.

“I want to commend Honourable Minister of Health and his team for ensuring the flag off of this programme and to call on all our state governors to see this as a call to action to make revitalization of Primary Health Care Centres a vital part of their agenda. Our Government has also through the Saving One Million Lives Initiative, provided 1.5 Million USD to each state government and FCT to ensure quality health care to women and children.”

“I want to thank our development partners especially, the United States Government, the World Bank, the European Union and Department For International Development for supporting the health sector in providing quality health service to our people.” He said.

Buhari also called on stakeholders to ensure the Kuchigoro primary health care facility continues to work optimally by using it and ensuring that the health professionals are delivering quality services.
The president charged health workers to also play their parts in ensuring sustainability of the model primary health care, just as he tasked them to rededicate themselves to their duties, pledging his administration’s continued commitment to ensure improved welfare for all the sector’s workers.