- Gombe gets $800,000 for best innovation award, 1st runner up in northeast zone
as Shettima reiterates Tinubu’s commitment to healthcare
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the 2024 Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge, Anambra State achieved remarkable success, emerging as the best-performing state in the country winning a total of $1.2 million.
This included $700,000 for overall excellence and an additional $500,000 for being the top performer in the Southeast zone. Abia State was recognized as the runner-up in the Southeast category, earning $400,000 for its efforts.
Gombe State also shone brightly, securing $800,000 for its innovative healthcare initiatives and being named the first runner-up in the Northeast zone. Gombe PHC Innovation Award saved the state ₦2.1 billion through biometrics.
Winners from other zones each received $500,000, including Kwara for the North-Central region (marking their second consecutive win), Kaduna for the North-West (also second in a row), Rivers for the South-South (twice in succession), Osun for the South-West, and Yobe for the North-East.
The first runners-up from these zones were awarded $400,000 each, with notable recipients being Lagos for the South-West, Delta for the South-South, Abia for the South-East, Jigawa for the North-West, and the Federal Capital Territory for the North-Central zone.
All winners received plaques and cheques during a vibrant ceremony that extended into the early hours of Friday.
The gala event was organized to promote the federal government’s Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, which aims to revitalize primary healthcare across Nigeria. Launched in 2022 in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the challenge assesses state performance using a rigorous framework that evaluates governance, financing, quality service delivery, use of evidence, sustainability, and health outcomes.
Vice President Kashim Shettima in his address emphasised the administration’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Shettima, represented by Special Adviser on General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo praised the awardees as exemplary leaders who have embraced challenges to enhance health outcomes.
He stated, “The progress we celebrate today is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a common purpose.”
Shettima also highlighted that effective primary healthcare is fundamentally about people—ensuring access to skilled care for mothers and preventing child mortality. He reiterated the government’s commitment under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to invest in sustainable healthcare systems, particularly for underserved communities.
The awards serve not only as recognition of outstanding performance but also as an incentive for governors to prioritize primary healthcare. The event coincided with World Universal Health Coverage Day, reinforcing the message that health is a right for all citizens. The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noted that this year’s challenge reflects a growing commitment among Nigerian states to enhance their healthcare systems.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate celebrated significant advancements in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system over the past year. He reported that 31 out of 41 key performance indicators were met, with ₦46 billion allocated to support over 8,000 health facilities.
Notable achievements included a 16.7% decline in under-five mortality rates and increased public confidence in healthcare management. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as health expenditure and immunization gaps.
The event also featured comments from various stakeholders including Uche Amaonwu from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Cristian Munduate from UNICEF. They praised the governors’ dedication to strengthening primary healthcare despite fiscal challenges and emphasized the importance of collaboration among development partners.
Amaonwu highlighted the significance of the Health Sector Renewal Compact, which aims to unify health initiatives across states. Munduate stressed that healthcare should be viewed as a fundamental right for all Nigerians, particularly children and women.
The gala concluded with calls for continued efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide.