NPHCDA releases N260m to establish 40 additional PHC facilities in Niger

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has released N260 million to the Niger State Government for the establishment of 40 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across Niger State in addition to the existing ones.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyi Aina disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago at the Government House, Minna.

Aina who said he was on a working visit to the State, explained that the additional 40 PHC is to support and complement the effort of the governor on health care delivery in the State.

He further revealed that the project would be directly funded from the NPHCDA resources mobilised from development partners.

Aina said more PHC facilities in Niger State will benefit from the Basic Health Care Provision Funds, as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal government intends to double the number of PHCs receiving the funds as well as increase the amount the facilities receive from N300,000 to between N600, 000 and N800,000 quarterly, based on the number of patients they are attending to.

He urged the governor to continue with his measures of accountability, monitor how the funds are being expended and provide feedback to the Agency.

Aina commended Governor Umaru Bago for making giant strides in the critical sectors of the economy especially, agriculture, health and education among others.

He, thereby, appealed for more effort to close up some human resources gaps, increase the density of the level two facilities.

Aina said the PHCs in Niger State are decent based on the assessment NPHCDA carried out across the country.

He, however, observed the need for more human resources, increase in the density of the level two facilities to address maternal issues, 24 hours operation of the facilities and accommodation for health workers among others.

Responding, Governor Bago said his administration is making deliberate effort to invest in health and education, adding that about 70 to 80 per cent of its capital expenditure for next year would go into the two sectors.

He said discussions are on with international organisations to deploy technology in the sectors, pointing out that soon all the PHC facilities would have telemedicine.

The Governor revealed that the state government has invested in infrastructure that has to do with the internet and fire-optics and that going forward, technologies would be deployed to PHCs in rural areas, especially those faced with insecurity for effective service delivery.

Other provisions to be made to the PHCs across the state according to the Governor include renewable energy for 24 hours power supply, security outpost, mini ambulances and accommodation.

He added that doctors will be trained in China on how to use the equipment to be deployed and that farms have been dedicated to hospitals, under the Niger Foods Agriculture initiative, to handle their recurrent expenditure.

While appreciating the NPHCDA for the additional 40 PHC facilities, the Governor said the state government will ensure the design is in tandem with the set standard.

He also expressed readiness for continuous collaboration with the Agency for the benefit of the people.

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