Health coverage for 100m Nigerians as FG begins mapping of PHCs

Sequel to the pronouncement by the Federal Government to standardise 10,000 Primary Healthcare Facilities in  the country, to boost access to basic healthcare, Ado Mohammed, the executive secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, says government would soon commence mapping of all primary Healthcare infrastructure  across the country.

Mohammed  informed BusinessDay that in line with this,  100 million Nigerians are to benefit from  the facility which will render 24 hour service daily, everyday, in all 774 Local Governments across the country,when the 10, 000 PHCs come on stream.

He further observed  that Primary Healthcare plays a  key role in the provision of the National Health Act,which prepares the ground for the attainment of  Universal Health coverage in the country.

He said:”Precisely,we have a strong role to play in the new Health Act,which has been gazetted by the President. The agency has a statutory role in co-rdinating the states and the local governments for greater efficiency in Primary Healthcare activities and having effective resource persons ,as a major driver in implementing the nations Health Act.”

Meanwhile, mapping of Primary Health Centres is the entry point for PHCs functionality in Nigeria,as many of the health care centres across the country are in disrepair.

Mohammed revealed that only 20 percent of PHCs across the country are functional,while about 80 percent are in total disrepair.

He however explained that the idea of refurbishing 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres is hinged on ensuring  there is universal coverage,physical access,and combating financial barriers of many citizens who still spend out of pocket for in their basic health care needs.

“Also,we target minimum standards in terms of human resources and management, ensuring better nutritional provisions  and further ensuring we keep up with  24 hour-service across the country, while sustaining and maintaining a good refferal system to secondary care centres.

“We have set  target time  within the next two years, as we are targeting 100 million Nigerian for a start, “he explained.

“We are working together with our key partners of which UNICEF is key. We hope to accomplish this within the next two years.

“There is already a number of mapping projects that have been done in sub-sets and we would commence harmonisation of the mapping.There are ones already done by the MDG office,and others. We would try and harmonise it.”

Harrison Edeh