FCT increase PHCs to 236 – Board

The FCT Primary Health Care Development Board says it has increased primary healthcare delivery centres in Abuja from 60 in 2011 to 236 in 2015. Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the board, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday. Mohammed said that the service […]

The FCT Primary Health Care Development Board says it has increased primary healthcare delivery centres in Abuja from 60 in 2011 to 236 in 2015.

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the board, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mohammed said that the service delivery point was to enhance access to maternal, newborn child health and family planning in the territory.

“The centres have all the necessary commodities for the health care service delivery and some of these centres provide free ante-natal and free treatment of children less than five years.

“These free health care services had reduced infant maternal mortality in the capital territory.

“The board had also kept regular training for 450 nurses and midwives and other health workers in the 236 health care centres created in the FCT,’’ he said.

He said the board in partnership with some development partners is planning to recruit additional nurses and midwives.

Mohammed said the Maternal and Newborn Child Health Care Week (MNCH), which was observed in May and November, but noted that the week is observed regularly in the capital territory.

He said the board gives Vitamin A to boost immunity for the children, de-worming tablets and free ante-natal services to expectant mothers.

He added that during the week, the board supports women and children on health information and best health practices.

According to him, FCT accommodated about 45,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), about 15,000 out of the 45,000 IDPs reside in seven IDP camps.

“They were immunised against polio, measles and other immunisations but still children come with measles despite the immunisation.

“This is some of the crises the board faced in managing the IDPs. Some of the children are cero-convertible due to lack of adequate nutrition and immunity,’’ the secretary regretted. (NAN)