The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NPHCDA

  • NPHCDA unveils reforms to strengthen PHCs, reach 2.1m zero-dose children

    NPHCDA unveils reforms to strengthen PHCs, reach 2.1m zero-dose children

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, expanding immunisation coverage, and reaching the country’s estimated 2.1 million zero-dose children. Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, outlined the measures during the NPHCDA’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja, where he emphasised renewed commitment to reducing preventable maternal and new-born deaths and ensuring that primary health centres (PHCs) operate at full capacity.

    Aina said the agency’s broader goal is to ensure that at least 17,600 of Nigeria’s more than 30,000 PHCs become fully functional and capable of delivering essential maternal, new-born and child health services. “These centres must be equipped, staffed, and capable of delivering essential services, especially for women and children,” he said. Achieving this, he noted, requires tackling persistent operational and funding bottlenecks. To address these challenges, the Federal Government has expanded the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which now allows PHCs to receive quarterly funds directly. Low-volume centres will receive N600,000 per quarter, while high-volume facilities will receive N800,000. Aina added that, beginning January 2026, a full list of beneficiary PHCs will be published to strengthen transparency and reassure Nigerians that funds are reaching the right facilities.

    Aina identified zero-dose children—those who have not received a single vaccine by their first birthday—as a major concern and a critical priority area for the agency. To tackle this, the NPHCDA introduced the Identify, Enumerate, Vaccinate (IEV) strategy, which targets underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Between July 2024 and October 2025, he said, more than 500,000 zero-dose children were reached through intensified house-to-house mobilisation and targeted immunisation campaigns.

    The agency has also expanded integrated campaigns that deliver multiple interventions at once—such as polio, measles, HPV and malaria prevention—in order to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Aina disclosed that the NPHCDA is rolling out digital health records, real-time PHC dashboards, multilingual e-learning platforms in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, as well as an electronic financial management system designed to strengthen accountability for health spending at facility level. “So far, more than 70,000 frontline health workers have been trained, and 27,000 community-based workers recruited, with states signing MOUs to absorb them permanently,” he said.

    During the briefing, Aina addressed broader issues affecting Nigeria’s health outcomes, including maternal mortality, immunisation gaps, ongoing diphtheria outbreaks, challenges with hard-to-reach populations, and the need for transparency in health financing. Responding to recent claims that Nigeria recorded 20,000 maternal and new-born deaths in 2025, Aina said he was unsure of the data source but acknowledged the severity of preventable deaths across the country. “What I can agree with is that we’ve had too many unjustified deaths,” he said. “That is why the President prioritised reducing maternal and new-born mortality under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.”

    Read Also: ‘We have recorded 860 terrorism convictions since 2017,’ says AGF Fagbemi

    He explained that direct PHC funding, an expanded health workforce, increased home visits and the rollout of the Management of At-Risk Mothers and Infants (MAMI) intervention all target the leading drivers of maternal and child mortality, including vaccine-preventable diseases. He added that PHC services are being broadened to include mental health care and interventions for non-communicable diseases.

    Addressing Nigeria’s diphtheria situation—8,000 cases and 800 deaths recorded so far—Aina pointed to the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which showed Penta-3 vaccine coverage at just 53 per cent. “If 53 per cent received the vaccine, 47 per cent did not. They are susceptible, which explains ongoing outbreaks,” he said. While the Federal Government procures vaccines, Aina stressed that state and local governments are responsible for service delivery, urging the media to hold subnational governments accountable for performance.

    Hard-to-reach locations, he explained, include riverine, mountainous, remote, poorly connected, and insecurity-prone areas. “These areas often overlap with zero-dose communities and maternal mortality hotspots,” he noted. Under the IEV framework, the agency has identified 7.4 million residents across priority states who require special outreach strategies. On the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Aina said the framework had improved unified planning, budgeting and coordination among federal, state and partner agencies, reducing duplication and resource waste. He also provided updates on the BHCPF, revealing that 8,309 PHCs currently benefit from the fund. After ongoing verification, 13,512 facilities will be added by year-end, while another 5,212 are undergoing clearance for qualification.

    Revitalising PHCs, he said, involves assessing building integrity, staffing, equipment, power supply, water availability and consistent supply of essential medicines. “If you equip a centre without health workers, it will be abandoned. If you put equipment in a building without a door, it will be looted,” he said. The agency has introduced monthly facility monitoring by performance and financial management officers, supported by a digital financial management app and an MOU with security and anti-corruption agencies. Facilities must now account for previous disbursements before receiving new funds.

    Providing an update on the HPV vaccination campaign, Aina announced that more than 15 million girls aged 9–14 had been vaccinated, surpassing the initial target of 13 million. The programme continues as new age cohorts become eligible. Citing NDHS findings, he said 172 LGAs across 33 states account for more than half of maternal deaths, making targeted interventions essential. He also noted that the MAMI intervention had expanded to nearly all states.

    On the issue of zero-dose children, Aina stressed: “These are not ghosts. They are children. We know where they are, we know their mothers, and we are removing barriers one by one.” He reaffirmed the NPHCDA’s commitment to rebuilding Nigeria’s primary healthcare architecture, improving immunisation uptake, scaling digital tools and strengthening accountability at all levels. Transparency, community trust and media collaboration, he said, remain central to the country’s ongoing health transformation agenda.

  • NPHCDA, FCTA step up MR vaccination monitoring

    NPHCDA, FCTA step up MR vaccination monitoring

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have intensified joint monitoring of the ongoing Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR), Polio, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which aims to vaccinate over 106 million Nigerian children against preventable diseases.

    The nationwide exercise, which began in October 2025 and will run until February 2026, was designed to strengthen immunization coverage, raise public awareness, and ensure that no child is left unprotected.

    The Measles-Rubella campaign, flagged off by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on October 6, is currently ongoing across 19 northern States and Oyo State and will conclude on October 15.

    Over the weekend, NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, and FCTA Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, led a joint monitoring team to assess the progress of the vaccination campaign across the FCT and neighbouring States.

    In a statement by Bola Ajao, Special Adviser on Media to the Mandate Secretary, the joint monitoring exercise emphasized the importance of collaboration between national and state health authorities in achieving better child health outcomes.

    Dr. Aina said the joint effort reflects the government’s determination to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.

    “This exercise underscores the importance of teamwork between national and state health authorities to protect children, strengthen healthcare delivery, and build a healthier nation,” he stated.

    Read Also: NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    He commended the dedication of frontline health workers, urging them to maintain transparency in data collection and reporting, saying, “Verified data, whether targets are achieved or not, is crucial for effective planning and sustainable health sector improvement”.

    The monitoring team visited several Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), including Chikora North PHC in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State and New Township PHC in Abaji Area Council, Abuja.

    They also engaged with mothers and caregivers in surrounding communities, emphasizing the importance of timely vaccination and proper finger-marking of children.

    At the Abaji PHC, Dr. Fasawe personally administered vaccines to infants and sensitized mothers on the dangers of preventable diseases.

    She urged parents to ensure their children are fully immunized, warning that unvaccinated children face a high risk of contracting measles and rubella, which can cause blindness, hearing loss, congenital defects, and death.

    Both officials expressed satisfaction with the turnout and coverage achieved so far and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safety and quality standards throughout the campaign.

  • NPHCDA launches integrated vaccine campaign in Abuja

    NPHCDA launches integrated vaccine campaign in Abuja

     The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has launched its Integrated Vaccine Campaign at Aleyita Primary Health Centre and LEA Primary School, Abuja, targeting children aged 0 to 14 years.

    The campaign integrates several key health interventions aimed at protecting children from preventable diseases, combining routine immunisation with targeted treatments against deadly and common childhood illnesses.

    Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of NPHCDA, on Thursday, said that the integrated approach would reach more children, reduce missed vaccinations, and improve child health outcomes nationwide.

    Aina explained that the campaign included routine immunisation (0–23 months), measles-rubella vaccination (9 months–14 years), and polio vaccination (0–59 months) as part of its expanded health package.

    He said the campaign would also provide HPV vaccination for nine-year-old girls, treatment for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention, offering a broader, integrated healthcare intervention.

    “All vaccines and services offered under the campaign are safe, effective, and completely free.”

    Read Also: Variant poliovirus cases drop by 46% – NPHCDA

    Aina urged caregivers to vaccinate their children for a healthier and more secure future.

    “Phase 1 of the campaign runs from Oct. 6 to 15, 2025, in 19 northern states and Oyo. Phase 2 will cover southern states from January to February 2026.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that the campaign is supported by global partners, including Word Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, working together to strengthen immunisation and child health across the country.

    NAN reports that First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (CON) described the initiative as a bold and necessary step toward protecting Nigerian children’s health and future.

    “This flag-off reflects our national resolve to say no more to diseases that steal our children’s future. It’s a step forward in building a healthier, safer Nigeria,” she said.

    The First Lady noted that the vaccine campaign added to ongoing efforts against polio, tuberculosis, HPV, and other diseases, offering protection against two additional deadly infections in the new phase.

    She added that the campaign supported President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aimed to ensure that every child was healthy from birth and that no mother died while giving life.

    (NAN) 

  • Maternal, neonatal deaths: FG begins ₦2.9bn health commodities distribution, prioritises high-burden states

    Maternal, neonatal deaths: FG begins ₦2.9bn health commodities distribution, prioritises high-burden states

    The federal government has launched the nationwide distribution of essential maternal and child health commodities in a renewed effort to curb Nigeria’s high rate of maternal and newborn deaths.

    Coordinated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with development partners, the initiative seeks to strengthen maternal and child health services and reduce preventable mortality.

    In the first phase of distributing the 21 priority maternal and neonatal commodities, which commenced on Monday, items valued at about ₦2.9 billion were shared across 10 states, with the Northwest receiving 60 percent, the Northeast 34 percent, the North Central 4 percent, and one State in the Southeast 2 percent.

    The initial phase targets 80 out of 172 local governments within the selected States.

    Speaking at the flag-off in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director (ED) of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, stressed that the initiative was designed to save lives, close service delivery gaps, and support states in strengthening primary healthcare systems.

    According to Aina, reducing maternal and newborn deaths remains a pressing national priority. “We need to remind ourselves that our mothers and our newborns deserve better. Too many women die needlessly from preventable causes.

    He explained that the distribution prioritizes regions with the highest burden of maternal deaths, saying, “When you don’t have enough resources or time to go everywhere at once, you prioritize where the need is biggest, where you have the largest number of women losing their lives due to preventable causes.

    “That’s the basis for selecting ten states to start with,” he said.

    The ED added that commodities are being delivered alongside training for health workers, equipment supply, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure quality care for mothers and newborns.

    While the Federal government is providing leadership, he stressed that sustainability depends on states and local governments, noting, “The states have the primary responsibility for service delivery.

    “This is an intervention by the federal government to fill some gaps and show the kind of difference they can make, so that states will take it on”.

    Aina acknowledged Nigeria’s maternal mortality figures remain unacceptably high and often underreported, stressing that, “Regardless of where you look, too many women die needlessly from preventable causes.

    “Whether you cite a figure of 500 or more per 100,000 live births, the truth is that even 10 is uncalled for.”

    He said the government will begin annual tracking of maternal mortality to refine strategies, “If our strategy is working, we double down. If it’s not working, we pivot as appropriate,” he added.

    On sustainability, Aina disclosed that agreements had been reached with States to ensure continuity, “Part of the reason why it’s taken us a bit of time to push this out is we wanted that commitment from States that they are going to make this sustainable.

    “The funding for these commodities should come from that level,” the ED explained, noting that planning for the next distribution phase has already begun.

    The representative of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) commodities emphasized that states must back the initiative with budgetary support.

    “Each of the 21 States we are working with has developed an annual operational plan with maternal and newborn implementation built in, meaning government budgets will fund this.

    “What is being released now is basically to prime the pump. We expect states to reciprocate and release their own funds to continue saving the lives of women and children,” he said.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Dr. Mary Brantwo, described the commodities as “tools of hope, dignity, and survival” that represent a shared commitment to safeguarding mothers and newborns.

    She commended NPHCDA for ensuring that supplies reach the communities where they are most needed, saying, “This handover is a testament to the power of partnership, and to the progress that is possible when we align our efforts with national priorities and global standards.”

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative, Achu Lordfred, said the intervention aligns with UNFPA’s focus on preventing maternal deaths, promoting family planning, and ending gender-based violence.

    Read Also: Ijaw forum urges FG to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts in Niger Delta

    He highlighted recent support for life-saving interventions such as heat-stable carbetocin, which reduces maternal deaths, and expressed hope the commodities would “accelerate progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths in our frontline facilities.”

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also pledged continued support.

    Its Senior Officer, Khalilu Muhammed, said the initiative aligns with the foundation’s vision of spreading innovations, ending diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty.

    He praised the government’s leadership, noting the importance of private sector collaboration, “We are meeting here in a private sector facility because we know that the private sector is critical to ensuring quality healthcare delivery,” he said.

    Muhammed reiterated the foundation’s commitment, adding, “Our goal ultimately is to create a world where everybody has the opportunity to survive and thrive.”

  • Variant poliovirus cases drop by 46% – NPHCDA

    Variant poliovirus cases drop by 46% – NPHCDA

    Nigeria has recorded a significant drop in circulating variant poliovirus (cVPV2) cases in Nigeria, declining from 78 per cent in 2024 to 46 per cent in 2025, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), said. 

    The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja at the Second Quarter 2025 review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery (NTLC), chaired by the Emir of Argungu, His Highness, Alhaji Sa’Maila Muhammad Mera.

    NPHCDA Executive Director/CEO, Dr Muyi Aina, said the progress was most evident in high-burden states like Kano and Katsina, where infections have dropped by 85 and 84 per cent respectively. 

    He noted that vaccination coverage rose from 81 to 84 per cent between April and June, with settlements reached during campaigns also increasing from 71 to 78 per cent.

    Read Also: NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    Aina however warned against complacency, citing challenges such as insecurity and fake finger-marking, which undermine the credibility of campaigns. 

    He urged stronger collaboration with the media and traditional leaders to improve accountability and reassure parents.

    “No mother would knowingly endanger her child. Providing accurate information is critical, and involving traditional leaders in selecting vaccinators builds trust and compliance,” Aina said.

    In his welcome address, Emir Mera urged royal fathers to sustain their commitment to eradicating cVPV2, describing it as “a sacred duty we owe our people.” 

    He also expressed concern about poor uptake of HPV and anti-malaria interventions during campaigns, urging traditional rulers to intensify education and mobilise households.

    Development partners pledged continued support for Nigeria’s immunisation drive.

    Dr Sam Okiror of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation praised the accountability role of traditional leaders in vaccination teams but highlighted insecurity and low routine immunisation coverage in states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, and Borno as persistent threats.

    UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms Wafaa Saeed-Abdelatef, said Nigeria was nearing the “final stretch” in polio eradication but warned that nomadic and mobile populations, as well as children in hard-to-reach areas, still miss vaccinations. She also noted progress in primary health care revitalisation, with 1,160 facilities upgraded and 2,800 more undergoing improvements.

    She urged traditional leaders to play a stronger role in the upcoming integrated measles, rubella, and polio vaccination campaign.

    The NTLC meeting, attended by traditional rulers from 19 states and the FCT alongside government officials and development partners, provided a platform for experience sharing and reinforcing community-led approaches in health delivery.

  • FG injects N32.8bn into basic healthcare

    FG injects N32.8bn into basic healthcare

    The federal government has approved the disbursement of N32.8 billion from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support primary healthcare programs in the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year.

    The funds will be distributed through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). 

    This comes as the federal government prepares to approve a new set of governance guidelines for the BHCPF.

    This emerged on Wednesday in Abuja during the 10th BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting, where the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. 

    Members of the Committee chaired by the Coordinating Minister at the meeting included the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioner’s Forum and Ekiti State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Oyebanji Filani, heads of the NHIA, NCDC, NPHCDA, and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) representative among others.

    The Minister revealed that ₦32.8 billion has been allocated to strengthen over 8,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.

    He highlighted that the funds will support the expansion of primary healthcare services, the Vulnerable Groups Fund, emergency medical treatment and ambulance services, and the NCDC’s disease outbreak prevention and response efforts.

    He said: “We have to ensure health security by preventing outbreaks, detecting them, and being able to respond to them. That is the approval.

    “The second approval was that of the revised guideline for the BHCPF, which is provided for by law.

    “While we’re waiting for a legal opinion from the Attorney General of the Federation, the MOC agreed with the thrust of the changes that were made in the guidelines, and those are very good steps forward, which has brought in the lens of equity, has also increased the resources going to primary health care centres.

    “The reality is that the BHCPF facilities all over Nigeria now are functioning at much higher levels and better levels compared to non-BHCPF facilities.

    “So the reforms that we have undertaken over the last 18 months are working, and we appreciate the President for his leadership in ensuring that we get the resources to be able to do that”.

    Pate emphasised that in addition to the funding disbursement, efforts are being made to address barriers preventing the full utilization of resources.

    He acknowledged existing challenges in fund releases to one of the BHCPF gateways but assured that the government is taking steps to resolve them.

    He stressed that ensuring smooth access to funds is crucial for achieving optimal health outcomes for Nigerians. 

    Regarding the NCDC gateway having issues accessing the funds, the Minister explained that the sub-national level with the States having issues opening their accounts and getting the signatories to their accounts.

    “But as you have heard, the issue is with the Office of the Accounting General of the Federation, and we are confident that the new Accounting General of the Federation will remove those bottlenecks so that they have access to their accounts.

    “As you know, these funds are Federal government resources, but they are channelled through State Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts, and those have to be opened, and they are opened by the Accountant General, and we are now working to see that it’s expedited.

    Noting that the BHCPF, established to improve access to primary healthcare services, plays a critical role in financing essential health programs, Pate stressed that while the fund has significantly boosted healthcare delivery, ongoing reforms are necessary to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. 

    He also addressed concerns about potential shortages of essential medicines, dismissing reports from international agencies suggesting imminent stockouts.

    Read Also: FG to release Rivers allocation to administrator, justifies emergency rule

    According to him, the government is actively procuring medical supplies through direct and emergency channels to ensure continued treatment for patients with HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

    He reassured Nigerians that there are no immediate shortages and that the government is committed to sustaining the supply of essential health commodities. 

    As part of broader healthcare reforms, the government is also revising the BHCPF guidelines to improve equity and increase funding to primary healthcare centres.

    Reaffirming the Federal government’s dedication to healthcare improvements, he urged Nigerians to support the government’s efforts and work collaboratively with civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen the country’s health system.

    The meeting featured updates from the gateways and the ratification of memorandums presented by the Secretary of the MOC.

  • NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    The Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Dr. Muyi Aina, has promised to revitalise its Cold Chain Store in the Southeast Zone for the preservation of vaccines and other related items.

    Dr. Aina, who made the promise weekend while inspecting some of the Agency’s facilities in the Southeast zonal office, including the cold and dry stores, in Enugu, lamented the poor state of the cold store.

    He said: “I came to Enugu to do a number of things. One is to engage with our critical stakeholders in the primary health care programme that we do.

    “I’m here also to look at the some of the facilities that we have in the Southeast zonal office as well as the cold and dry stores.

    “I looked at our cold store here and am not exactly very happy with what I saw. I think there are a few gaps in the functionality that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency”.

    Also speaking during a visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, executive director commended the transformation of primary healthcare in Enugu State by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, saying the state was well ahead in repositioning that layer of the healthcare system.

    “Enugu people are happy with you. The Federal Government is happy with you too for a number of reasons. When we came up, we said we want to revitalise our primary healthcare centres across the country. You got ahead of us. The news we are getting is extremely encouraging and that is one of the reasons why this is the first stop. This is my first visit to any state.

    “You have gone ahead of us to commence the construction of 260 new health facilities. That is no mean feat. You have not just talked about it, you have actually completed some. You have awarded contracts for all. It is indeed a great honour and privilege to be here today given all of these strides.

    “Beyond what I have just said, you have also focused on health workers, which is another big thing. You know that there is a shortage of health workers in the health sector broadly, but also in the primary healthcare system specifically. You are recruiting health workers of different cadres. You should be congratulated for this.

    “We are also aware and we want to thank you because you are one governor, who is prompt to his counterpart-funding responsibility when there is funding needed for health activities and for health campaigns. I have never had to call you to plead to release funding,” he stated.

    Dr. Aina said given the strides, the FG was going to support the state with N254m to help revitialise existing facilities to complement the new ones being constructed by the Governor Mbah Administration.

    “Encouraged by all of these strides you are making, I would like to also tell you that Enugu State will benefit from the ongoing revitalisation of PHCs. We have completed the assessment of 253 facilities here and from what we found, there are quite a bit of gaps and we also stepped up.

    “About 162 of them have the number of skilled birth attendants that you need to fully operate. Also, some of them need staff accommodation. We are going to support you.

    “The sum of N254million has already been earmarked as part of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund that you will use to revitalise some of these facilities. We have over twenty that we will also be revitalising for the state to support your efforts.”

    He added that the agency was ready to collaborate with the state in the area of training of manpower and replacement of obsolete cold chain infrastructure, among others.

    Governor Mbah welcomed the support, noting that FG’s effort to reposition the health system was in sync with his administration’s priorities.

    “We identified primary healthcare as one of those critical subsectors that we need to address. When we went out there to campaign in our various communities, there was hardly anyone that did not raise the issue of access to healthcare facility.

    Read Also: NPHCDA aids Hajj Pilgrims with essential drugs

    “We saw that with the state of the infrastructure we have and we are working on improving them. But we also saw the need to build brand new facilities. We are doing 260 Level 2 PHCs. But we are also more intrested in the equipment or facilities. In each Type 2 PHC we are doing currently also has a staff quarters to ensure a round the clock access to healthcare in these villages and rural areas. It was critical to us.

    “But we know that 260 will not cut it for us. So, that is why the announcement you made here about the FG working with us to revamp some of the existing PHCs that may be reviveable excites us so much.”

    The governor said the government was recruiting 2,200 health workers to address the deficits in the healthcare space in the state.

    “Even though what you may notice is our recruitment of 450 health workers, but the approval is actually 2,200. We did the analysis and the data we saw on pregnant women that have no access to healthcare personnel at delivery was scary. We knew we needed to ramp up very quickly,” Governor Mbah stated.

  • NPHCDA aids Hajj Pilgrims with essential drugs

    NPHCDA aids Hajj Pilgrims with essential drugs

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has handed over essential medical supplies to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to ensure the health and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims undertaking this year’s sacred journey of Mecca.

    The regular supply of the essential drugs which include antimalarials, antihypertensives, analgesics, and antibiotics among others would be distributed to all the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to the Executive Director of the Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, the need to provide the pilgrims with the essential drugs was in line with Federal government’s prioritization of its citizens’ health.

    While handing over the essential drugs to Jalaludeen Arabi, the Chairman, NAHCON at the National Strategic Cold Room, Abuja on Sunday, Aina said it was important to provide comprehensive medical support to the pilgrims considering the rigours of the pilgrimage.

    He said in line with the government’s agenda on Health, the directive to source and provide these carefully curated essential medical supplies was a testimony to its determination to cater to the welfare of Nigerians.

    “The timely procurement and delivery of these essential medicines underscored the Federal Government’s support to the pilgrims.

    “These drugs will serve as a vital resource for our pilgrims, offering them timely and essential medical assistance throughout their sacred journey,” he said.

    Read Also: Ten things to know about FAAN’s new e-tags for airport access

    He commended the management of the Hajj Commission for their insights and guidance which he noted have been instrumental in shaping the initiative to cater to the unique needs of the Hajj pilgrimage.

    In his remarks, Arabi commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NPHCDA for the timely intervention, noting, “The provision of these essential medical supplies is a testament to our shared commitment to the well-being of our pilgrims.”

    “These drugs will be indispensable in providing timely medical assistance throughout the pilgrimage.

    “We understand the physical and emotional demands of Hajj, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our pilgrims receive the best possible care.”

    Arabi who was represented by Jololudeen Ardo, the however assured Nigerians that the essential would not only be judiciously applied but transparency and accountability would be the watchwords

    “We will give accounts of how these were utilized to prove that transparency and accountability still revolve around our systems,” Arabi added.

  • Tetanus, diphtheria threatening expectant mothers, says NPHCDA

    Tetanus, diphtheria threatening expectant mothers, says NPHCDA

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said tetanus and diphtheria are threatening expectant mothers.

    It recommended immunisation for the safety of the expectant mothers and their babies.

    NPHCDA’s Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, announced this in an Interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by clostridium tetani bacterium.

    It typically enters the body through wounds or cuts and produces a toxin that affects the nervous system.

    Tetanus is characterised by muscle stiffness and spasms, often starting in the jaw (hence the term “lockjaw”, and spreading to other muscles.

    The infection can be fatal, but immunisation with a tetanus vaccine is a crucial preventive measure.

    Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. It releases a toxin that can lead to formation of a thick grey or white coating in the throat, making breathing difficult.

    In severe cases, diphtheria can damage the heart, nervous system, and other organs.

    Immunisation through the diphtheria vaccine is a key preventive measure, and it is often administered as a part of routine childhood vaccinations.

    Read Also: Nigeria races against time to save children amidst diphtheria outbreak

    Aina said recent cases had shown a direct correlation between these infections and loss of unborn babies, prompting a call for immediate action.

    The NPHCDA executive director said tetanus and diphtheria, once thought to be rare, were resurfacing.

    “The silent nature of these infections can catch many off guard, especially expectant mothers, making it imperative to raise awareness about the potential dangers they pose during pregnancy,” he said.

    The NPHCDA boss said studies had indicated a disturbing link between tetanus and diphtheria infections in expectant mothers and adverse outcomes, including premature births and fetal loss.

    “Understanding the gravity of this situation is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child.

    “Vaccination not only protects the mother from these potentially-deadly infections, but also creates a shield of immunity that extends to the developing fetus.

    “Contrary to concerns, tetanus and diphtheria immunsations have proven to be safe for pregnant women, with negligible risks compared to the severe consequences of the infection,” he said.

  • NPHCDA gets 6m cervical cancer vaccine doses

    NPHCDA gets 6m cervical cancer vaccine doses

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said it had received 6 million doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

    The vaccine is expected to prevent 12,000 new diagnoses and 8,000 lives lost yearly to cervical cancer in Nigeria.

    The vaccine, it was learnt yesterday in Abuja, was received in readiness for its launch on October 24 to reduce the nation’s cervical cancer figure, which translates to 33 new cases and 22 deaths every day.

    The HPV vaccine is for the prevention of cervical cancer for the girl-child aged nine to 14.

    NPHCDA’s Director General Faisal Shuaib told a media briefing, which was also attended by the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, that the introduction of the HPV vaccine was not just a medical advancement but a profound forward leap in the determination of the government to protect the health and aspirations of young girls.

    The agency boss said it empowers young girls to lead healthy lives and become the formidable women and mothers of tomorrow.

    Read Also: Adamawa offers incentives for dry season farming

    ·               On the need to embark on immunising the Nigerian girl-child against the disease, Shuaib described HPV as a common sexually transmitted infection that had been a silent harbinger of several types of cancers, including cervical cancer. 

    ·               He said: “Tragically, cervical cancer stands as the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria and the second most common cause of cancer-related fatalities among women aged 15 to 49 years. 

    ·               “Nigeria alone contributes an estimated 12,075 new cases of global cervical cancer annually. HPV infection has been identified as a high-risk factor, implicated in 95 per cent of cervical cancer cases. 

    ·               “With 12,000 new diagnoses and 8,000 lives claimed each year, it translates to 33 new cervical cancer cases and 22 deaths every day in our nation. 

    ·               “In Nigeria, one precious life is lost every two minutes to this preventable disease. Regrettably, this insidious disease ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in 36 countries, including Nigeria.

    ·               “This is why the introduction of the HPV vaccine is a beacon of hope in our relentless fight against the burden of cervical cancer. 

    ·               “By immunising girls at an early age, we aim to shield them from the most common HPV strains responsible for cervical cancer in later life.”

    ·               Adeyeye assured Nigerians of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

    ·               The NAFDAC boss said it had been certified in the same manner that all COVID-19 materials brought into the country were subjected to the agency’s stringent test at its central laboratory in Yaba, Lagos.

    ·               She said many countries in the Western and African regions, have integrated this vaccine into their immunisation schedules.

    ·               Adeyeye cited Senegal, which proactively introduced it in 2018 into its routine immunisation, resulting in a 90 per cent reduction in high-grade cervical abnormalities among vaccinated women.

    ·               She added that this demonstrated the vaccine’s undeniable effectiveness. 

    ·                

    ·