NIGERIA—The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) have partnered under the “Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme” (ADHFP) to elevate primary healthcare services across Nigeria.

This initiative aims to establish at least one global-standard primary healthcare center (PHC) in each of the country’s 774 local government areas (LGAs).

This collaboration aligns with the guidelines of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The partnership follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WHO and PSHAN in Abuja on April 4, 2024.

The Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammadu Ali Pate, and the NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, witnessed this ceremony.

During his keynote address, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, emphasized the project’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 77th World Health Assembly resolution on “Economies of Health for All.”

Dr. Mulombo highlighted the necessity of increasing nongovernmental engagement, including the private sector, to achieve equitable health and well-being for all Nigerians.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the unique partnership between WHO and PSHAN, Dr. Mulombo noted that it responds to the member states’ request to WHO in the 77th World Health Assembly resolution on “Economies of Health for All.”

He explained that the project is consistent with the WHO’s offer to the Government of Nigeria, captured in the 4th Generation Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy (CCSIV).

Dr. Mulombo further stated that the project aligns with the national health policy, aiming to strengthen primary healthcare and ensure better health outcomes for all Nigerians.

Additionally, the WHO will provide technical support to Nigeria on domestic resource mobilization and other fiscally sustainable ways to finance the progressive realization of universal health coverage and the highest attainable primary healthcare services.

This support will include addressing broader social determinants of health while ensuring that health systems are strengthened, prepared, and resilient to respond to outbreaks.

“This partnership aims to leverage the comparative advantages of our two organizations to accelerate primary healthcare revitalization and achieve Universal Health Coverage and health security in Nigeria,” Dr. Mulombo added.

Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PSHAN, echoed Dr. Mulombo’s sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for the ADHFP as a crucial step toward a robust healthcare system.

 She emphasized that this collaboration brings together the expertise, resources, and perspectives of public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and international agencies, laying a solid foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Dr. Akinbolagbe also highlighted the program’s potential to inspire other private entities to participate in healthcare initiatives, underscoring that healthcare should be a fundamental human right, accessible to all regardless of socio-economic status or geographical location.

The Nigerian healthcare system faces significant challenges in providing equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare to its people.

Inadequate primary healthcare infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and persistent health inequalities underscore the urgent need for concerted action.

The ADHFP’s strategy involves adopting healthcare facilities, renovating infrastructure, providing essential medical supplies, and training healthcare workers to ensure high standards of care, particularly for those most in need in Nigerian communities.

The signing ceremony concluded with a strong commitment from all parties and partners to ensure the ADHFP’s success, aiming for better health and well-being for all Nigerians and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.

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