- N98bn Invested in PHCs, Over 78,000 Health Workers Trained – President
- Discloses that 2,565 PHCs have been upgraded, while 1,456 others are currently undergoing rehabilitation
- Tinubu outlined measures under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Care Value Chain
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that more than N98 billion was disbursed last year to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria, describing the investment as one of the most significant in recent times for grassroots health services, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Health Convention and Roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, the President said the funds were channelled through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support operational costs in over 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide.
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Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said the disbursement forms part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the health sector as a key driver of national development.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga, the funding has contributed to the revitalisation of health facilities across the country. He disclosed that 2,565 PHCs have been upgraded, while 1,456 others are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The President explained that the upgraded centres now operate 24-hour services, are staffed with trained health professionals, and are equipped with essential medicines, basic medical equipment, as well as improved power and water supply.
He further revealed that the government is expanding the financing framework to include an additional 5,212 facilities, bringing the total number of supported primary healthcare centres to over 13,500 nationwide. The expansion, he said, is designed to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Tinubu also stated that health insurance coverage has been extended to more than 10 million vulnerable Nigerians as part of efforts to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and improve financial protection in healthcare.
On workforce development, the President recalled that in 2023 he directed the Minister of Health to retrain 120,000 primary healthcare workers within four years. He noted that over 78,000 frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, CHEWs and JCHEWs, have already completed training within two years.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to comprehensive reform, Tinubu said quality healthcare remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that a nation’s prosperity depends on the health of its citizens.
He also highlighted progress under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, which is tracking pregnant women in 172 high-burden local government areas. According to him, more than 100,000 pregnant women have been connected to healthcare facilities for antenatal, delivery and postnatal services, with free emergency maternal and newborn care provided in supported centres.
Tinubu further outlined measures under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Care Value Chain, aimed at reducing dependence on imported medicines. The initiative promotes local pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthens regulatory systems, and encourages domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The President urged APC governors and lawmakers to align with federal reforms and increase state health budget allocations in line with the 15 per cent commitment under the Abuja Declaration.
