By Ijeoma Nwanosike
There are concerns that the Federal Government’s approval of 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) may be wasteful and unsustainable without addressing long-standing structural and staffing issues plaguing the country’s primary healthcare system.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, ahead of World Health Day, revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved a “comprehensive Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” which includes the establishment of over 8,800 new PHCs and upgrading of existing tertiary institutions to enhance trauma care, oncology services, and infectious disease control.
Shettima, who spoke during the commissioning of the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre in Sagamu, Ogun State, called for greater private sector participation in the ongoing reforms within the health sector and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing critical deficits through strategic partnerships and investments.
Describing the newly commissioned trauma centre as vital to Nigeria’s emergency care infrastructure, Shettima hailed the facility as a lifeline and a symbol of preparedness in a caring nation. “In a nation facing rising urbanisation, motorisation, and industrial risks, trauma care is no longer optional—it is essential,” he said.
While commending the philanthropic efforts of the Adegunwa family, Shettima urged other wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to emulate their example. “Rise beyond personal achievement and invest in nation-building,” he said.
However, medical experts have criticised the government’s move to establish new PHCs. The Chairman, Non-Communicable Disease Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mansur Ramalan, expressed concerns about the plan. He questioned whether the proposed PHCs would be completely new constructions or renovations of existing but neglected facilities.
“We don’t know if they want to renovate or completely build new ones. If the Federal Government plans to build new ones, then it is a waste of resources. Rather, they should renovate the old ones.”
Ramalan also drew attention to the current state of existing PHCs across the country, many of which he described as being in a state of total disrepair. “Most of the existing PHCs are dilapidated, and some have been converted to churches, while others have been turned into places for rearing goats and chickens,” he said.
The consultant physician raised the issue of staffing as another major concern. “There are no staffs to run these places, because either they are not well paid or they are not employed in the right number,” he said.
He stressed that beyond constructing buildings, it is critical to have adequate human resources to operate them effectively. Ramalan noted that while most PHCs currently rely on community health workers, they still require supervision and coordination by trained medical doctors.
He also pointed out that local councils can make impactful changes if given the proper authority and resources, but he maintained that constructing new PHCs is not the solution. “I don’t think that building new ones is a good idea because the old ones are not functioning,” he said.
