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by Benjamin Orisemeke
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed on Wednesday that N51 billion has been released to the agency as part of the.
Executive Secretary of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists at the 2018 service/productivity awards and send forth ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, added that the federal government would release another tranche of the fund in 2019.
The Executive Secretary noted that it would be “towards providing basic health care for all Nigerians in a way that people do not have to pay out of their pocket for healthcare.”
Dr. Shuaib further explained that “There is an insurance component and there is a basic healthcare component so that if you are sick you do not have to pay out of your pocket and think that you will be poor. Those are the things that are exciting us in 2019.”
The NPHCDA boss maintained that the efforts to revitalize Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the country. According to him, it is part of efforts to ensure that there is at least one PHC in every part of the country.
“So far, 4000 PHCs have actually been renovated and are in the process of being revitalized. It is really about making sure there is the right kind of equipment, there is the right medicine, health worker that can attend to the sick, that there is water, there is electricity and even where the health worker can pass the night,” he explained.
Earlier in his remarks, the NPHCDA helmsman stated that the agency’s drive to improve immunization coverage has started to yield result.
He said: “It is exciting to know that the needle for immunization coverage has begun to move in the right direction, and positive changes are being recorded in the area of primary health care. The implication is that more children are being protected from disease and death and have a better chance for a healthier childhood. Households are also being protected from unnecessary health expenditure, and are able to live more productive lives.
The Head of the Agency commended the awardees for their selfless service saying it has contributed to the success story of the agency. The Executive Secretary, noted that the award is a testament of the fact that such brilliant personnel, future leaders in their own rights, have emerged in the Agency.
“The awards they will receive are not only products of their individual efforts, but reflections of the enormous work put in by their colleagues who have worked with them in teams, their directors and other senior colleagues that have mentored them.
“We also congratulate our friends that are retiring to another phase of their service and lives. We are grateful that you have provided sacrificial service to the country and have left indelible marks in the lives of citizens. You can be proud of your achievements and also know that you are welcome to the Agency at any time, having performed meritoriously during your years of service.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the productivity award to 18 staff of the agency.
