The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has allocated N254 million to strengthen primary health care delivery in Enugu State.
The announcement was made by the agency’s Executive Director, Dr. Mui Aina, during a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mba’s office on Friday.
In his remarks, Dr. Aina commended Governor Mbaha for his swift implementation of federal government policies in the health sector and expressed his desire for continued partnership with the state government for the development of primary health care.
He said, “We have completed the assessment of 253 facilities in the state and a total of N254 million has been allocated as part of the Basic Care Delivery Fund to support the state.”
Aina praised the governor’s administration for hiring 450 health workers and building 260 primary health centers. He noted that Enugu State would benefit from the federal government’s efforts to revitalize primary health centers across the country.
“In this regard, your state will fully benefit from the Federal Government’s continued revitalization of primary health care centers across the country,” he said. He further said that more primary health facilities in Enugu State would benefit from increased allocation through the “Direct Facility Financing” initiative which includes the retraining of 3,063 health workers from the state.
The Director-General appealed to Governor Mbaha to absorb the health workers who are still temporary workers in the state.
In response, Governor Mba made it clear that his administration is ready to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating: We have achieved these goals and should be able to do so by 2030. ”
He said it is essential to focus on education and health to eliminate poverty and hunger in society. Governor Mba welcomed the intervention of the NPHCDA, suggesting that his administration would have built more health facilities had it not been for the intervention of the federal government.
He announced plans to build staff quarters and install solar power at each of the 260 Type 2 health centers to ensure 24-hour availability of health workers for people receiving primary health care services. did. He further disclosed the accreditation of the Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences and expressed his intention to expand the existing College of Nursing facilities to accommodate more trainees.
Governor Mba affirmed the commitment to institutionalize primary health care, adding that his administration had put in place mechanisms to ensure universal health coverage in the state.
