At a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, on Thursday, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) emphasized on the need for strategic use of resources and human capital development, as key to ensuring health care delivery.
The strategic engagament is with the objective of harnessing multi-stakeholders approaches to strengthen primary healthcare delivery, identifying the roles of non state actors in the implementation of the strategic vision of NPHCDA.
NPHCDA said progress made in primary health care and related fields has been slow paced.
“The goal now is to build on past efforts and accelerate progress”, Executive Director of the Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina said.
He pointed out that the NPHCDA does not operate health facilities directly but, supports states and local governments in improving their healthcare services, focusing on policy development, guidance, and resource mobilisation.
The Executive Director noted that while funding was crucial, the real issue was how resources were allocated and utilised.
“The importance of coordination, avoiding duplication of efforts, and focusing on the quality of spending rather than just the quantity of funds is highlighted”, he stated.
While emphasizing on the need for collaboration which he said goes beyond just financial support, Dr. Aina advocated for shared ideas, experiences, and technical assistance from those in the field to ensure that resources were used effectively and not wasted.
The NPHCDA boss also touched on the challenges related to human resources in healthcare, including the migration of healthcare workers and the need for better distribution, capacity building, and skill development.
He added that the partnership between the UHC Forum of Nigeria, NPHCDA and civil society organizations (CSOs) in driving the goal of making basic healthcare services accessible to all Nigerians.
Also, he highlighted the progress made under the leadership of the country’s Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, towards achieving President Tinubu’s healthcare initiatives.
He stressed the importance of transparency, community engagement, and the role of the media in sharing the progress and impact of these healthcare initiatives.
Co-convener of the UHC Forum, Dr Garfa Alawode said the strategy emphasises leveraging political transitions, such as elections, to place Universal Health Coverage (UHC) at the forefront of Nigeria’s political agenda.
He highlighted the success of other countries like Ghana and Rwanda in advancing their health systems by engaging political leaders during election periods.
“This approach inspired the creation of the Nigerian UHC Forum, which aimed to develop a citizen-led health agenda that influenced key political aspirants ahead of the 2023 elections.
“The goal is to ensure that health remains a priority in political discussions and decision-making”, he said.
Dr Eduardo Celades, Chief of Public Health at UNICEF, emphasized the importance of supporting the Federal Ministry of Health and the NPHCDA in light of new health sector reforms.
Celades noted that addressing inequalities in key PHC outcomes, such as high maternal mortality and zero-dose children, was critical.
Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, Executive Secretary, of Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board, stated that the Forum of CEOs of State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies (SPHCDAs) is committed to mobilising additional resources for primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across their states.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Machina emphasised that the CEOs were dedicated to ensuring accountability in the utilisation of these resources to achieve better health outcomes for Nigerians.
Dr Mohammed Mustafa Lecky, Chairman of the Health Sector Reform Coalition, emphasized the need to leverage local government autonomy, as promoted by the NPHCDA, to accelerate the PHC agenda in Nigeria.
Lecky highlighted this as crucial for enhancing effective service delivery and accountability in the health sector.
Dr Ufuoma Omo Obi, Regional Director of Options Consultancy Services, said that there was a need to harness the collective efforts and resources of stakeholders to forge consensus for effective PHC delivery to reduce maternal and under-5 mortality.
Omo Obi emphasised the need for harmonising efforts across stakeholders within the health ecosystem to achieve UHC.
He highlighted the importance of bringing together various actors—government, civil society, and local communities—to create a unified approach to implementing health policies.
“This collaboration is essential to translating national policies into real, tangible outcomes, such as reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring that essential health services reach those in need at the grassroots level,” he said.
He underscored the significance of evidence-based interventions and community engagement in driving these efforts forward.
The engagament had in attendance key stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from international organisations, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
Discussions centred on strategies to enhance the effectiveness of primary healthcare delivery, with particular attention to rural areas that often face the most significant challenges.
Participants also highlighted the importance of continuous professional development for healthcare workers, as well as the need for innovative approaches to health financing.
As part of the agency’s efforts, new initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding immunization coverage were also announced.
These initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in reducing the burden of preventable diseases and improving overall health indicators across the country.
The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together in driving the nation’s healthcare agenda forward, with a shared vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.