“10,000 PHC” agenda gets underway this June, but only 110

 The “10,000 PHC” agenda—to make functional 10,000 primary health centres across the country—gets underway this June, the National Primary Health Care Agency says. The agenda is to begin with an initial 110 centres—one from each of 109 senatorial zone and another from Fika, the Borno town where the first case of the latest Lassa fever […]

 The “10,000 PHC” agenda—to make functional 10,000 primary health centres across the country—gets underway this June, the National Primary Health Care Agency says.

The agenda is to begin with an initial 110 centres—one from each of 109 senatorial zone and another from Fika, the Borno town where the first case of the latest Lassa fever outbreak was recorded this year.

The choice of the initial 110 is part of a “rapid response initiative” and “entry point” for the 10,000 PHC agenda, says Dr Ado Muhammad, executive director of NPHCDA.

Proof of concept

The “proof of concept” is to show generate evidence that having functional health centres helps deliver better health.

The health centres will be used to provide services in immunisation, antenatal care, HIV care and nutrition for women and children.

Individual states will be expected to support the centres by providing personnel and other necessities.

“We expect the states to continue to do their part, including providing human resources to the primary health centres,” said Muhammad.

“We are getting buy-in from the states. We also want the states to own the programme.”

The agency, which coordinates primary health care across the country, met with state representatives and donor communities in Abuja in a meeting meant to harmonise efforts between the Nigerian government and its partners to strengthen primary health care.

Donor support

It also is leveraging on donor support, including the UK Department for International Development, DFID, which funds Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme (MNCH2) in six states—Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Kaduna.

The choice of the six states is based on their relatively high rates of maternal death and poor child survival.

The DFID support reaches some 954 health centres in 189 council areas.

“Progress has started,” said Ruth Lawson, senior advisor for DFID.

“It is around ensuring the streamlining of health care with an understanding of the appropriate level of care to be provided, and who’s responsible, both for the delivery and oversight.

“Nigeria is making progress, and there needs to be continuing dialogue to ensure that efforts are maximised, and the contribution of state and federal levels are aligned so that you have a better outcome.”

MNCH2 hopes by 2019 to reduce maternal and child deaths by enhancing quality continuum of care from pre-pregnancy till age five.

Its national team leader, Dr Salma Kolo, said it was also about integrating “accountability so that state teams are aware of their needs and ensure they are budgeted for.”

“The challenge is driving it to ensure government owns and sustains it,” she added.