Nigeria Revitalizes 500 Health Centers, Plans to Renovate 3000 More

By Adebowale Bello. Freelance Health Writer.

Friday, August 16, 2024. The Nigerian government has announced the successful revitalization of over 500 Village Health Centers (VHCs) nationwide, with an ambitious plan to restore an additional 3,000 centers in the coming year. This initiative is a critical part of President Bola Tinubu’s Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aims to make essential healthcare services accessible to all citizens.

The update was shared by the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, during a stakeholder engagement session organized by the Nigeria Universal Healthcare Forum in partnership with Options Consultancy Services, an international health consultancy.

Mr. Aina highlighted that the revitalization of these VHCs has already resulted in a 15% increase in immunization rates and a substantial improvement in antenatal care services. This progress is pivotal to Nigeria’s broader health goals, particularly in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

Ufuoma Omo-Obi, Regional Director of Options Consultancy Services, underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector to realize UHC. He pointed to the success of community-driven accountability mechanisms, like the Evidence for Action (E4A) MAMAYE program in Lagos, which has effectively ensured the availability of essential medical supplies at primary healthcare centers.

Omo-Obi also emphasized the need for inclusive health programming, urging all stakeholders to contribute actively to the shared goal of improving health outcomes across Nigeria. He called for a unified effort to advance universal health coverage, which he noted would ultimately save lives and enhance the well-being of all Nigerians.

Further emphasizing the need for action, Gafar Alawode, Managing Partner at DGI Consult, urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take concrete steps that yield tangible health improvements.

The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative was officially launched in 2023 by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate. The initiative is designed to advance Nigeria's journey toward UHC, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of their economic status or location, has access to vital health services without financial hardship.

Minister Pate explained that the NHSRII is central to addressing the country’s poor health outcomes and inequitable access to healthcare. The initiative will leverage the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), in collaboration with state governments and development partners, to implement a sector-wide transformation program. This includes plans to train additional healthcare workers and operationalize at least 17,000 primary healthcare centers across the country.

Source: Premium Times

Published: August 16, 2024

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