From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced on April 22 that Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) with high patient patronage will receive ₦800,000 quarterly as a reward, while those with lower patronage will get ₦600,000. This marks an increase from the previous flat rate of ₦300,000, based on established performance criteria.
Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), shared these plans at a press conference in Abuja. He revealed that the number of PHCs funded under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) has risen from 8,406 to 17,600, following a nationwide assessment of 18,000 PHCs that identified service delivery gaps.
Aina said, “Our goal is to rebuild trust in our health system, particularly the PHCs, by ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to quality, functional primary health care.” He noted that 901 PHCs have been revitalised, with plans to upgrade 2,701 more to achieve at least one fully functional PHC per ward.
On immunisation, Dr Eshetu Wassie, Head of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) at the World Health Organisation (WHO), emphasised its role as a cornerstone of primary healthcare and a human right. He stated, “Immunisation is one of the most powerful and cost-effective health investments known to humankind.”
Wassie noted that vaccines have saved over 154 million lives in the past 50 years, equivalent to six lives per minute. He urged stakeholders to recommit to this mission ahead of the 2025 African Vaccination Week, saying, “Together, we can defeat vaccine-preventable diseases and ensure no one is left behind.”