The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has emphasised that a renewed focus on primary health care (PHC) delivery is crucial to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina shared this view in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja.
Aina highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that the country currently has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2020.
Despite these challenges, Aina expressed optimism that a dedicated effort to strengthen PHC delivery offers a promising pathway to achieving UHC and addressing the nation’s critical health issues.
He explained that the strategic blueprint for 2024-2026 is designed to enhance PHC services by improving access, equity, and quality.
One of the major hurdles in the healthcare sector, according to Aina, is inadequate infrastructure, with only 30% of PHCs meeting the minimum Level 2 standards.
Furthermore, just 22% of facilities nationwide have the required healthcare workforce, a deficiency that directly affects service delivery and contributes to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian has equitable access to quality PHC services through a trusted and efficient system,” Aina stated.
To tackle these challenges, the NPHCDA plans to optimize the functionality of PHC facilities, aiming to have at least one fully functional facility per ward, with a target of 17,600 facilities across the country within four years.
This includes ensuring constant power access, staff accommodations, and the presence of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) at all PHCs.
Aina outlined the strategic objectives set by the NPHCDA, which focus on reducing maternal and under-five mortality, increasing the utilization of PHC services, and improving routine immunization coverage.
“By focusing on these areas, Nigeria aims to save lives, reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and bridge the gap in health outcomes across different income groups,” he said.
A key component of this plan is the deployment of 18,000 SBAs to PHC facilities, effectively doubling the current capacity within the next three years.
Aina stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including universities, NGOs, and international agencies, as crucial to the success of this initiative.
He underscored the importance of diversity, inclusiveness, and social justice in NPHCDA’s partnerships to foster a robust and equitable health system.
The agency also plans to leverage innovative approaches like the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the Sector-Wide Approach to ensure sustainable financing and accountability in PHC services.
“This includes improving the Health Management Information System (HMIS) to support data-driven decision-making and continuous monitoring of impact,” Aina noted.
He added that the focus on PHC revitalization, workforce development, and community trust-building is expected to create a more resilient and equitable healthcare system.
“If these efforts prove successful, Nigeria can become a model for other African nations striving to achieve UHC and reduce maternal and child mortality rates,” Aina said, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing cautious optimism that these efforts would yield significant improvements in health outcomes.
He emphasized that strengthening primary health care is not just a health priority but a national imperative, and that the implementation of NPHCDA’s strategic blueprint could be a turning point in the country’s pursuit of UHC.
