The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has allocated N254 million to enhance primary health care delivery in Enugu State, according to Dr. Muyi Aina, the agency’s Executive Director.
According to The PUNCH, Aina made this announcement on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah, where he was accompanied by representatives from the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund and the NPHCDA.
During the visit, Aina commended Governor Mbah for the swift implementation of federal health policies in the state, noting that the funds would be used to support 253 health care facilities in Enugu.
He also highlighted the governor’s prompt release of counterpart funds, making Enugu the first state to do so in Nigeria.
“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 said.
He praised Mbah’s administration for recruiting 450 health workers and constructing 260 primary health care centers across the state’s 260 wards.
In addition to the N254 million, Aina revealed that 3,063 health workers in the state would undergo retraining as part of the NPHCDA’s “Direct Facility Financing” initiative.
He also urged the governor to regularize the employment status of casual health workers in the state.
In response, Governor Mbah assured the agency of his administration’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.
He emphasized the need for improved education and health care to combat poverty and hunger.
“We want to align ourselves with all the indicators under the SDGs,” Mbah stated, adding that his administration would continue to build more health facilities even without federal intervention.
He also announced plans to equip each of the 260 primary health centers with staff quarters, solar lighting, and portable water to ensure 24-hour service delivery.
Mbah further disclosed the accreditation of the Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences, which now operates multiple campuses, and committed to expanding facilities in the state’s nursing colleges to accommodate more trainees.
The governor concluded by reaffirming his administration’s dedication to institutionalizing primary health care and ensuring universal health coverage across Enugu State.
