The World Health Organisation has signed a partnership with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria to accelerate primary healthcare revitalisation towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and health security in Nigeria
The partnership which is under the ‘Adopt-A-Healthcare
Facility Programme’ also aims to establish at least one global-standard Primary
Healthcare Centre in each 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
The ADHFP is to ensure that private sector investment is
directed towards improving the standards of service delivery, including primary
emergency care.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
in Abuja on Saturday, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo,
said noted that the partnership is consistent with the WHO offer to Nigeria as
encapsulated in the fourth Generation Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy over
the next four years.
Mulombo stated that the programme will also ensure that the
efforts of the government and stakeholders are integrated to avoid
fragmentation and ensure sustainable and resilient PHC systems to prevent,
detect and respond to infectious diseases and outbreaks.
“The ADHFP will also ensure adequate investments are made to
strengthen critical primary healthcare systems such as retention skilled and
motivated health workforce at the PHC level; essential medicines, vaccines, and
commodities; appropriate infrastructure and equipment; as well as appropriate
technology.
“Also, it will ensure pooled funds cover PHC so that all
citizens would access PHC services free at the point of service use while
paying attention to equitable resource allocation and prioritisation of those
most in need; proactive and scientific effort is made to track progress from
the baseline,” he said.
On her part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer of PSHAN, Dr Tinuola Akinbolagbe, said the partnership will harness the
power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic alignment in the pursuit of
sustainable primary healthcare systems.
Akinbolagbe stated that the significance of strategic
partnership of this kind cannot be overemphasised.
She said, “By bringing together the diverse expertise,
resources, and perspectives of the public and private sectors, academia, civil
society, and international organisations, we lay the foundation for a holistic
approach to healthcare delivery.
“Through synergistic collaboration and shared commitment, we
have the potential to surmount the barriers that have long hindered progress
and unlock new pathways towards equitable access, quality healthcare, and
improved health outcomes for all Nigerians.
“At the core of our partnership lies the visionary ADHFP, a
flagship initiative aimed at establishing globally-standardised PHCs across
Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. This initiative embodies our collective
resolve to bridge the gap between healthcare demand and supply, empower local
communities, and catalyze systemic change from the grassroots up.
“Through targeted investments, capacity-building
initiatives, and innovative approaches to service delivery, we aim to create a
healthcare ecosystem that is resilient, responsive, and inclusive.”
She added that the collaboration signifies a significant
milestone in the collective efforts to enhance healthcare delivery through
primary health care delivery.