NPHCDA allocates N254m to boost healthcare in Enugu

The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has earmarked N254 million to enhance primary healthcare delivery in Enugu State.

The announcement was made by the Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, during a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah in his office on Friday.

In his remarks, Dr. Aina commended Governor Mbah for his administration’s prompt implementation of Federal Government policies in the health sector, expressing a desire for continued partnership with the state government to develop primary health care.

He stated, “We completed the assessment of 253 facilities in the state, and the sum of N254 million has been earmarked as part of the basic care provision fund to support the state.”

Aina praised the governor’s administration for recruiting 450 health workers and constructing 260 primary health care centres. He noted that Enugu would benefit from the federal government’s ongoing revitalisation of primary healthcare centres nationwide.

He noted, “On this, your state will fully benefit from the ongoing revitalisation of the Primary Healthcare Centres across the country by the federal government.” Additionally, he said that more primary healthcare facilities in Enugu would benefit from increased allocation through the “Direct Facility Financing” initiative, which includes retraining 3,063 health workers from the state.

The Executive Director appealed to Governor Mbah to absorb health workers who are still casual employees within the state.

In response, Governor Mbah assured that his administration is ready to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying, “We want to align ourselves with all the indications under the SDGs, whether they are on infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate; we should be able to fit into these goals and achieve them by 2030.”

He said that to eradicate poverty and hunger in society, it is essential to focus on education and health. Governor Mbah welcomed the NPHCDA’s intervention and indicated that his administration would have constructed more health facilities had it not been for federal intervention.

He announced plans to build staff quarters at each of the 260 Type 2 health centres, install solar lights, and provide potable water to ensure that health workers are available around the clock for those accessing primary healthcare services. Additionally, he revealed the accreditation of the Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences, with intentions to expand existing nursing college facilities to accommodate more trainees.

Governor Mbah affirmed his commitment to institutionalising primary health care, adding that his administration has put mechanisms in place to ensure universal health coverage in the state.