Universal Health Coverage: Federal Govt To Revive 17,000 Primary Healthcare Centres

The federal government has revealed its plans to make the existing 8,809 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country fully functional, and gradually increase the PHCs to 17,618 by 2027, towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, disclosed this yesterday at the commemoration of the World Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, with the theme: “Health for All: Time for Action”, and presidential unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Compact, between the federal government, state governments and partners, in Abuja.

He said, “Specifically, we expect at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing in the period 2024-2026 to be mobilised and channeled to improve our primary health system and achieve results. This represents contributions from external development partners and the federal government, expecting that state governments, where primary health is delivered, will also contribute to the efforts.

“We expect to double the number of fully functional PHCs receiving decentralized facility financing for infrastructural upgrades, and operational costs to ensure delivery of high quality essential Primary Health Care package, starting by making the existing 8,809 fully functional and gradually increase to 17,618 PHCs by 2027 in all 36 states and the FCT.”

In his remarks, the governor of Kwara State and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reiterated the state governors’ commitment to universal health coverage.

“The NGF Secretariat will provide robust support in tracking and implementing the outcomes of the compact”, he said,while reaffirming the commitment of the governors’ forum to make UHC a reality for all Nigerians.

Also yesterday, President Bola Tinubu said his administration is prioritizing and improving Nigeria’s health sector through massive investments and the allocation of increased funds to the sector in the proposed 2024 budget.

The president made this declaration at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by federal, state governments, and development partners in Abuja yesterday.

The event was a part of activities marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12.

“Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies; health is back on the front burner.

”Health is not merely the absence of disease but the embodiment of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is a fundamental human right and Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas,” the president in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said.