FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – More than 78,000 frontline health workers serving in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria have been trained in best practices as part of ongoing Federal Government reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
Hadiza Agbab-Agao, the Assistant Community Development Officer at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, disclosed this during a citizens’ town hall meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Mrs Agbab-Agao said the engagement was designed to strengthen trust, accountability and responsiveness within the primary healthcare system, while increasing the use of essential PHC services.
She said the services include maternal and newborn care, immunization, child healthcare and family planning.
According to her, the agency is working to ensure that all 120,000 frontline health workers across the country receive training on best practices to improve service delivery.
Mrs Agbab-Agao also said the Federal Government had earmarked N8.5bn under the Basic Healthcare Fund for the rehabilitation of PHC facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
She called on stakeholders to support efforts aimed at encouraging citizens to make proper use of primary healthcare facilities in their communities to improve health outcomes.
Mohammed Ibrahim, the Director of Health Education and Social Mobilisation at the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the state had recorded progress in vaccine uptake, revitalization of PHC facilities, community engagement and the training of 2,991 frontline health workers.
Mr Ibrahim urged participants to intensify awareness campaigns on the benefits of PHC services to reduce preventable diseases and improve maternal and child health.
Some participants at the meeting, including Abubakar Musa, Abdukadir Abeh and Sunday Abaka, promised to mobilise residents to make greater use of primary healthcare centres in their communities.
The meeting was held under the theme: “Strengthening PHC Services in Nasarawa State Through Citizens’ Engagement and Ownership”.
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
