Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced the disbursement of 45 billion Naira to strengthen primary healthcare facilities across the country.
Speaking at the 2024 Joint Annual Health Review meeting in Abuja, Prof. Pate stated that this funding directly impacts over 8,000 primary healthcare centres by providing both financial and human resources.
The disbursement is part of the PHC 2.0 reform, which focuses on equity by ensuring that financial and human resources are distributed across healthcare facilities nationwide.
Prof. Pate further shared that over 2,600 healthcare facilities are set to be revitalized, with plans to upgrade an additional 2,000. In addition, more than 40,000 frontline healthcare workers have been trained, with a goal to train 120,000.
Significant health progress has been made, including a 16.7% reduction in under-five mortality since 2018 and a 40% decrease in diarrheal diseases.
However, Prof. Pate emphasized the need for continued improvements in routine immunization, maternal mortality, and malnutrition. He urged greater collaboration across sectors and stronger investments from both federal and state governments to build a healthier Nigeria.
