The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has underscored the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the nation.
He made his remarks on Thursday evening during the 2024 Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Award and Gala Night, which took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
He said the award night highlighted significant advancements in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, emphasising the power of leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
“The progress we celebrate today is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a common purpose to strengthen the systems that touch the lives of our most vulnerable citizens,” he stated.
VP Shettima commended the awardees as changemakers who have embraced leadership challenges to improve health outcomes.
“Their dedication and strategic planning remind us that progress is possible, even in the face of adversity,” he said.
The Vice President noted that the awards depict that recognition is crucial for fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
“By celebrating these achievements, we set a standard for excellence that will resonate far beyond this evening,” he added.
The Vice President emphasised that effective primary healthcare is about people, ensuring access to skilled care for mothers and preventing child mortality.
Sustainable Healthcare
He reiterated the government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to invest in sustainable healthcare systems, particularly for underserved communities.
To the award recipients, VP Shettima expressed heartfelt congratulations, stating, “You have set the benchmark for what is possible when vision is matched with action.”
He encouraged those not receiving awards to continue striving for excellence, reminding them that every step forward in primary health care is a victory for Nigeria.
Overall Best
Anambra was named the best-performing state at the second edition of the awards.
Anambra was awarded $700,000 as the best-performing state overall and $500,000 for being the best in the southeast zonal awards category, a total of $1.2 million.
Winners from other zones got $500,000 each; they include Kwara for North-Central (twice in a row), Kaduna for North-West (second in a row), Rivers for South-South (twice in a row), Osun for South-West, and Yobe for the North-East region.
The first runner-up from other zones got $400,000 each, they include, Lagos for South-West, Delta for South-South, Abia for South-East, Jigawa for North-West, Gombe for North-East and the Federal Capital Territory for North-Central.
Gombe State also won the PHC Innovation award on the night.
The State had introduced a biometric thumbprint mechanism for its workers, detecting truants at work in the process.
The system enabled the State to save N2.1 billion from biometric capture.
All the winners were presented with a plague and cheque at a colourful ceremony that lasted almost midnight on Thursday, December 12.
The challenge is a programme to revamp the primary healthcare under one roof (PHCUOR) policy in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government launched the challenge in 2022 in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, among other partners.
Using a rigorous, independently developed performance monitoring framework—endorsed by all states—the Challenge assesses performance across key pillars: Governance, Financing, Quality Service Delivery, Use of Evidence, Sustainability, and Outcomes.
The challenge is aimed at enhancing Governors’ commitment to primary healthcare, mobilisation of state resources and innovation for gender-specific health outcomes.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighted the significance of the occasion, stating, “This event marks a unique moment as we celebrate three pivotal milestones.”
He emphasized the achievements of the PHC Leadership Challenge, which has catalyzed increased commitment to strengthening primary healthcare systems across Nigeria.
The NGF Chairman, who was represented by the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, noted that December 12 also coincides with World Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, emphasizing this year’s theme, “Health: It’s on the Government.”
He remarked, “This theme underscores the essential role of government leadership in ensuring health for all.”
Additionally, he commemorated the first anniversary of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, reinforcing the collective commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
AbdulRazaq noted that the Leadership Challenge is to catalyse the implementation of the Seattle Declaration by providing incentives for governors to take proactive steps to achieve these commitments.
He said resolutions reached at that gathering, known as the Seattle Declaration, were aimed at ensuring that states remain at the forefront of driving the implementation of key reforms and innovations in PHC.
He said the 2024 Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge has shown significant improvement over its inaugural edition, reflecting a growing commitment among Nigerian states to enhance primary healthcare systems.
He congratulated the award recipients and urged continued efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, stating, “Let us work tirelessly to transform our healthcare delivery for the benefit of all citizens.” This year’s challenge highlights the collective momentum toward strengthening healthcare across the nation.
At the 2nd Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Gala and Awards Night, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, celebrated significant advancements in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system alongside state governors and development partners.
He commended all the governors and the FCT for their steadfastness in advancing primary healthcare without which the health outcomes the nation is currently enjoying wouldn’t have been possible. He applauded the amazing support and leadership that they have provided.
Pate said over the past year, 31 of 41 key performance indicators were met, with ₦46 billion allocated to support over 8,000 health facilities. Notable improvements include a 16.7% decline in under-five mortality and increased public confidence in healthcare management. However, challenges like health expenditure and immunization gaps remain. Pate emphasised the need for continued investment and local leadership to achieve equitable healthcare for all Nigerians
Country Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu, praised the governors for their commitment to strengthening the primary healthcare system amidst fiscal challenges. “Your focused leadership is crucial for improving health outcomes in Nigeria,” he stated.
Amaonwu highlighted the significance of the Health Sector Renewal Compact signed last year, which aims to unify health initiatives and optimize resources.
He noted, “While recent reports showed mixed results, they also demonstrated that progress is possible.”
The awards recognize the Governors’ efforts in implementing the Seattle Declaration, adopted in 2019, aimed at prioritizing PHC. “This award is about leadership,” Amaonwu emphasized, urging Governors to elevate PHC issues within governance frameworks.
He also expressed gratitude to health workers for their dedication, stating, “Your commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare system is invaluable.”
Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, while commending the Governors, stressed that the event reinforces that healthcare is a right and not a privilege. “It should be a right for children and women in Nigeria”, she said.
Munduate celebrated the commitment to transform Nigeria’s health system despite the challenges.
She described it as a game changer, the health ministry’s adoption of the sector-wide approach by uniting planning, budgeting and implementation will ensure efficiency, accountability and measures outcomes.
On his part, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina noted that the PHC Leadership Challenge is a partnership, jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NPHCDA and the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) with technical support from UNICEF, and financial support from Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation.
He said the agency is excited that the Leadership Challenge has ignited positive and commendable action from across the states to strengthen the PHC.
He urged states to continue the healthy drive to outdo themselves, serving their citizens, ultimately the children and the nation at large.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, also gave a goodwill message.
At the inaugural Gala and Award Night, Borno State emerged as the overall best-performing state. Zonal winners included: South-East: Ebonyi (1st), Abia (2nd) South-South: Rivers (1st), Edo (2nd) South-West: Ondo (1st), Ogun (2nd)
North-Central: Kwara (1st), FCT (2nd) North-East: Borno (1st), Bauchi (2nd), North-West: Jigawa (1st), Zamfara (2nd).
The night concluded with a call to all stakeholders—government, private sector, and communities—to sustain efforts in ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.
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