The Federal Government has begun nationwide distribution of medical equipment and essential drugs to Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) as part of efforts to revitalise grassroots health systems.

Speaking at the flag-off in Abuja, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, said the exercise fulfils the government’s promise to strengthen PHCs and expand access to quality health services.

He lamented that decades of neglect had left many PHCs barely functional, forcing women to travel long distances for delivery, leading to preventable maternal and child deaths, missed vaccinations, and loss of community trust.

“This is not just an event, but a promise kept,” Pate said. “Two years ago, we embarked on an ambitious effort to revitalise the primary health care system, setting targets, and now we are seeing that promise being kept. We will not stand idly by while these resources are misused. Any frontline worker, manager, or official who diverts them will face consequences.”

The minister praised the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for progress in infrastructure upgrades and acknowledged support from development partners, including GAVI, the Global Fund, World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, outlined achievements recorded so far, including refurbishing 1,295 PHCs, installing solar power in 38 facilities, and training over 69,000 frontline health workers. He added that health kits and uniforms have also been provided.

According to him, some states have recruited additional personnel, with NPHCDA supporting salary payments in the interim. Kaduna, for instance, has engaged 216 skilled attendants and 969 community-based health workers.

Aina disclosed that under the Maternal and Child Health Initiative (MAMI), 411,000 pregnant women have been enrolled across 21 states, with more than 30,000 already receiving antenatal care and diagnostic referrals.

He further urged Nigerians to participate in the upcoming nationwide measles and rubella campaign targeting 109 million people under the age of 14. “The idea is to integrate interventions, measles and polio vaccines, nutrition support, and malaria commodities to maximise impact,” Aina said.