The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has pledged to improve healthcare services, promote community engagement, and provide finances for quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Head of the Public Relations Unit at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Remi Adeleke, made this announcement in a post shared on Sunday.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said in a legislative discussion on maternal health in Nigeria held in Abuja that the agency is committed to prioritizing primary healthcare and partnering with stakeholders, including universal health coverage.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, represented by Prof. Pate, revealed that the agency’s top objective, as part of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, is to reduce child and maternal mortality.
He said, “We recognize the crucial role that our partners play in complementing the government’s efforts. By working together, we can ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
“While funding has increased substantially this year, we need to do more. We’re counting on our partners’ support to improve spending and finance for the health sector.
“Investing in healthcare is investing in our nation’s future. We must continue prioritizing primary healthcare, addressing the root causes of health issues, and promoting preventive measures,” he added.
To ensure adequate delivery, he stressed the pivotal role of stakeholders in improving the healthcare sector, which aligns with the Federal Government (FG) as one of their priorities.
“The NPHCDA will focus on improving healthcare financing, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and promoting community engagement. The agency aims to leverage partnerships and collaborations to achieve these objectives.”
Dr. Salma Anas-Ibrahim, President Tinubu’s special adviser, highlighted the need to sustain progress in the health sector. She said, “The progress made so far is encouraging, but we must maintain momentum. This national dialogue is necessitated by the need for legislators to be more conversant with what needs to be done at the policy level.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, said the goal aligns with achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals on health of reducing child and maternal mortality within the stipulated time.
“Inequality between zones and states, environmental degradation, shocks, and crises are aggravating child and maternal mortality cases. An increase in the allocation of resources and technology and innovation must be deployed to accelerate the reduction of child and maternal mortality,” Mulombo said.
Expressing concern over poor funding and insurance, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, said the major challenges surrounding the health sector.
Emphasizing the need to improve health insurance as another, she charged lawmakers to divert funds from constituency projects to health projects to combat the increase in child and maternal mortality.
By Helen Okechukwu
