The regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had earlier promised the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities in the country.

In 2021, it was reported that no fewer than 918 primary healthcare centres were shut across the country amidst the outbreak of cholera.

Speaking at a press conference on the PHC summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, Shuaib, who admitted the failing primary healthcare system in the country, noted that the goals of rehabilitation were ambitious.

“The pandemic meant increased global interest and scrutiny of our health system, but here in Nigeria, we have long known that the wide-reaching devastating problems and now we are driving through solutions.

“We have proven that we know how to solve complex health problems when they are made a priority by governments, multilateral organisations and the private sector. We will build on our national experience fighting COVID-19, Ebola, polio and many other health challenges.

Recall that the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, blamed high disease burden and frequent outbreaks in the country on weak PHCs during a press conference shed light on the Primary Health Care Summit, Summit, scheduled to hold from March 24-25 in Abuja.

Ehanire also noted that functional primary health care centres can solve 70 per cent of the country’s disease burden and promote good health.

He said, “Studies have shown that functional PHCs with strong programmes for health education, disease prevention and health promotion within easy reach of communities can take care of 70 per cent of the nation’s disease burden.

“Taking care of 70 per cent of people’s health needs increases the nation’s productivity and GDP. High disease burden and frequent outbreaks are the results of this country’s weak PHCs.”

Source: HealthWise