The Hon. Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has inaugurated a committee to map out all the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) in the country. This is to ascertain the number and locations of Primary Healthcare Centres available in the country, and also to determine how many are functional or otherwise.The Federal Ministry of Health plans a “one Primary Healthcare Centre per Ward Programme”, a situation where each ward would have at least one functional Primary Healthcare Centre.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday 19th January, 2016 in Abuja, the Minister stated that the Federal Government would rehabilitate 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres within two years.
The committee which is to be chaired by Prof. Michael Asuzu, Prof. of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State has 11 members and Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) would serve as secretariat.
The Terms of Reference of the committee are (i) To conduct mapping of all PHCs in the country, using available resources data from all relevant departments, MDAs and other stakeholders. (ii) To determine the functionality of PHC in every political ward in the country. (iii) To determine service availability in each of the PHCs in every political ward human resources and equipment. (Iv) To propose strategy for strengthening referral systems between PHC and higher hospitals in given geographical area and to perform any other Assignment determined by the Hon. Minister.
In his acceptance speech the Chairman of the Committee said that the committee would work according to the terms of reference. He assured the Hon. Minister of their commitment to perform the assignment diligently.
Boade Akinola (Mrs)
Director Press, FMoH
For: Hon. Minister
