Health Development Agency Revives 991 Primary Care Centers
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) has announced the revival of 991 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the country.
This development is part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.
According to Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of NPHDA, the agency has made tremendous progress in the past year, with several key achievements in the areas of healthcare delivery, vaccination, and maternal care.
Speaking at a quarterly press briefing and the commencement of the World Vaccination Week, Dr. Aina highlighted the importance of these achievements in addressing the country’s healthcare challenges.
One of the notable achievements of the agency is the introduction of a life dashboard, which enables the assessment of primary healthcare centers in different wards across Nigeria.
This innovative approach leverages technology to digitize healthcare delivery, making it more efficient and effective.
Additionally, the agency has retrained 120,000 healthcare workers and improved emergency services by providing ambulances across the country.
In the area of maternal care, the NPHDA has launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative in 172 local government areas across five states. This initiative aims to reduce the number of maternal deaths in the country, which remains a significant concern. Dr. Aina noted that the agency is committed to improving maternal healthcare and reducing mortality rates.
Vaccination efforts have also seen significant improvements, with a 54% increase in vaccination rates. Seven states have been upscaled, and a total of 26 million children have been vaccinated so far. Furthermore, 101,158 children have been vaccinated against malaria in four states across the country.
These achievements demonstrate the agency’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Nigerian children.
In a bid to eradicate polio, the government has completed plans to launch a new polio vaccination campaign on May 3 across some northern states. This campaign is part of the synchronized vaccination program launched by Lake Chad countries to vaccinate 83 million children against the disease. Dr. Aina emphasized the importance of this campaign in ensuring that Nigeria remains polio-free.
The NPHDA has also announced that an additional 2,701 primary healthcare centers are undergoing renovation, bringing the total number of revamped PHCs to 3,692. This development is expected to further improve healthcare delivery and access to quality healthcare services for Nigerians.
The revival of 991 primary healthcare centers and the various initiatives launched by the NPHDA demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. As the agency continues to work towards improving healthcare delivery, vaccination efforts, and maternal care, Nigerians can expect to see significant improvements in their overall health and well-being.
