By Blessing Bature
The House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services has expressed satisfaction with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) strategic blueprint.
This development is a significant boost to the agency’s efforts to transform primary health care in Nigeria.
The legislators, led by the then Chairman, House Committee on Health Care Services, now the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, made the commendation during their oversight visit to the Agency.
The Committee’s endorsement of the NPHCDA’s strategic blueprint is a testament to the agency’s commitment to improving primary health care in Nigeria. With this support, the NPHCDA can continue to work towards achieving its goals, including investing in functional primary health centers and producing, equipping and retaining frontline health workers.
In a statement by the Covering Head, Public Relations Unit, NPHCDA, Yanda Muhammad said the National Assembly commended the leadership of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the ongoing reforms in the primary health Care (PHC) subsector, particularly the introduction of an accountability framework to guide its operations.
Idahosa expressed satisfaction with the Agency’s strategic blueprint that aims to ensure that every Nigerian has equitable access to quality health services through a PHC system they trust.
The lawmakers said he is impressed with the Agency’s 100% utilization of the sum of N15,863,001,094.25 released from the Agency’s appropriated funds and however concerned that only 23% of the appropriated sum of 68 Billion has been released to the Agency as of 30th October 2024.
The Committee therefore urged the executive arm of government to ensure full release of the funds appropriated to NPHCDA to enable the Agency delivery on its mandate.
Idahosa said the committee was in NPHCDA in line with its oversight function to receive feedback on the Agency’s activities and how the funds appropriated to it are being utilized.
Earlier in his brief to the Committee members, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, explained that the mandate of the Agency is to provide technical support to state and local governments in the area of guidance, resource mobilization, as well as developing human resource for health for effective and quality delivery of primary health care services.
He therefore solicited the support and collaboration with the National Assembly, saying they are the voice and representatives of the people in a very good stead to guide and support the Agency in implementing its strategic blueprint, which is drawn from the health sector strategic blueprint driven by the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.