The Founder of the Africa Diseases Prevention and Research Development Initiative (ADRAP), Dr Joseph Enegela says granting full autonomy to local government areas will enhance Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.
Enegela said this during an interview on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, there is a strong link between full autonomy and healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
He explained that “by design if you look at our healthcare system from the primary to secondary to tertiary level, there are strict roles for those who work in the PHC system.
“The same also goes for those in the secondary and tertiary health system, and those roles and responsibilities help to describe what kind of ailments each can handle.
“The sad part is that PHCs fall under the local government system, which is the most inefficient arm of government.
“The LGA health systems are run by the LGAs in the states and they get the least funding in spite of allocations from Federal Government, so they are inefficient.”
Enegela said that until total autonomy is given to the third tier of government and those who run the local governments know their responsibilities to the people, they would not think of it as important.
“So, there is strong link between local government autonomy and PHCs’ performance,” Enegela said, noting that “but to achieve the desired results, the system requires complete overhaul, with strict supervision.”
He also appealed to the Federal Government to support LGAs to build, own and manage their PHCs.
He also urged the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, to focus on PHC delivery and on increasing the health insurance coverage of Nigerians.
NAN
