FG Injects N23bn into PHC Revitalisation, Warns Against Sabotage
By Mohammed Kaka
The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed spending over N23 billion on revitalising Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) nationwide as part of efforts to bolster Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and enhance access to essential services.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the distribution of medical equipment and health commodities to PHCs in Abuja, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) revealed that over N9 billion was spent on procuring and deploying medical equipment, while more than N14 billion went into procuring essential health commodities like drugs and vaccines.
Aina stated that 1,295 PHCs have been refurbished, with 38 benefiting from newly installed solar power systems.
Punch reported that over 69,000 frontline health workers have been trained and equipped with uniforms and work kits through partnerships, including support from the Renewed Hope Initiative led by the First Lady.
Some states, Aina noted, are now taking ownership of the reforms by hiring more healthcare personnel, citing Kaduna’s recruitment of 216 skilled health attendants and 969 community-based health workers as an example.
He said progress under the Maternal and Child Health Initiative saw 411,000 pregnant women enrolled across 21 states, with 30,587 receiving care including antenatal services and diagnostics referrals.
Aina urged state governments to allocate more resources to staffing and maintaining PHCs to sustain momentum and called on Nigerians to support upcoming immunisation campaigns targeting over 109 million citizens aged 14 and below, integrating measles and polio vaccinations with nutrition and malaria prevention interventions.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a critical milestone in rebuilding a functional and accessible health system, particularly for underserved communities.
The minister noted the health sector’s prolonged neglect, with many PHCs in disrepair and lacking resources, stressing the revitalisation efforts aim to reverse the trend by equipping and staffing facilities adequately.
“The primary health care centres have languished for too long, not being very functional in many areas. Our mothers travel long distances for delivery, and many die in the process. Children miss vaccinations. Communities didn’t have much hope,” Pate said.
Warning against diversion or misuse of distributed supplies, Pate vowed consequences for anyone found culpable, regardless of position.
“We will not stand idly by while these resources are misused. Any frontline worker, health facility manager, local government or state official, or federal official who diverts anything deployed to serve our people will face consequences.” He said.
Pate described the distribution as tangible fulfilment of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda promise to overhaul primary healthcare, made two years ago, acknowledging development partners like GAVI, the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring no Nigerian is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.
“Today’s flag-off proves the Nigerian health system can rise again and that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is real. Let us join to build a health system that leaves no Nigerian behind,” Pate stated.