Nigeria’s health minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, has described the country’s healthcare system as unfavorable to the poor. According to him, only the rich are enjoying qualitative healthcare in the country. He made the remark yesterday in Abuja at the official flag off of a scheme to revitalise over 10,000 healthcare centers across Nigeria.Under the National Primary Healthcare Revitalization Initiative, Nigeria, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, and the Federal Ministry of Health, wants to make at least one primary health care centre fully functional to deliver a number of services in each of the wards across the country. “The health system in the country has only favored the rich”, Adewole said. “But under the present administration, we are focusing on ensuring that the poor have access to qualitative and affordable health care services.
He said that the goal of revitalising the Primary Health Care Centres is to ensure that quality basic health care services are delivered to majority of Nigerians, irrespective of their location in the country. According to the minister, if all primary centres were functioning well, at least 70% of Nigeria’s problems would have been solved. He said the health ministry now has guidelines for the utilisation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, in an effort to make good use of funds and resources. The guidelines would ensure transparency and accountability in the country’s health sector.
The minister enjoined the private sector to participate in the management and implementation of various health services nationwide. Officially flagging off the initiative, President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged state governors to make reviving the centres a vital part of their agenda.
“The federal government had, through the Saving One Million Lives Initiative, provided $1.5 million to each state government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to ensure quality health care to women and children,” the president said.
Source:Healthnews Nigeria
