Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and BudgIT Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving healthcare system in Nigeria.

While the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of PSHAN, Dr Tinuola Akinbolagbe signed on behalf of PSHAN, the Country Director of BudgIT, Gabriel Okeowo signed for BudgIT.

The partnership is about upscaling healthcare especially at the grassroot through sharing insights based on access to data that would aid decision about PHCs that needs reformation and adoption among other initiatives.

Both also hope to utilise its extensive network to advocate for funding and resources essential for PHC reform projects.

PSHAN also look foward to using the platform of the MoU to partner with BudgIT to organise and facilitate a one-day summit focused on PHC data insights, ensuring robust participation from private sector entities.

In her welcome address, Focal Lead, ADHFP, PSHAN, Rukayyat Sadiq was optimistic that the MoU will help boost accountability in the health sector.

In her introductory remarks, Akinbolagbe said that it is quite obvious that what both organizations was doing aligns with some duplication of efforts.

According to her, her works around uplifting the state of PHCs across Nigeria is not to demonised the government but how to make things get better.

She also said that ownership of the projects by the community is fundamental to make positive and sustainable headway, stating partnership and transparency are key critical that define its operation.

Akinbolagbe disclosed that PSHAN has rehabilitated about 70 PHCs and looking at hitting 100 by the end of the year. It is also about engaging citizens and data to guide. She described the MoU with BudgIT as an explorative one.

In his remarks, Okeowo was happy that the discussions that started some months ago has yielded fruits. He noted that Nigeria has 30,000 PHCs but many are not functional. “And when you see the pictures of the PHCs, you will ask if the health facilities are where health is restored or ill health is compounded.”