The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), says a total sum of N120million would be required to build a single standardised Primary Health Care Centre in a any Nigerian Community.
A Director in the Agency, Mr. Sorji Taiwo disclosed this at the Stakeholders Engagement on Improving Service Delivery in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) organised by Public and Private Development Centre, PPDC, a Non-governmental Organisation in Abuja’s capital.
This was in reaction to the poorly funded primary health care centres in the FCT.
Mr. Taiwo noted that, “We had Primary Health Center, PHC a Summit and we decided that all PHC in Nigeria are standardised. We are trying to tell the legislators, instead of budgeting for a PHC facility at 40million.
“A budget for a full fledged PHC is about 120 million with facilities such as solar, water/borehole and a staff quarters because we can’t afford to have facilities without a quarters,” he explained.
He advised the National Assembly members interested in Community projects, especially Primary Health Care Centres, PHC across the country to budget at least N120million for a standard centre instead of the N40million that hardly equipped it. So if you want to build for your community this is the amount you should budget for.
The NPHCDA Official encouraged communities and their leaders to hold their representatives accountable noting that they have the right to and if you don’t they will do what the want.
He called on the private sector and non-governmental organizations to also help in providing health care facilities in the country.
“The Federal Government can not do it alone because of inadequate funds. We are trying our best as NPHCDA to ensure that in the next 5 to 10 years the story of PHC will change because partners are coming, many are interested already, Dangote, former Managing Director Access Bank, MTN and Foreign partners among others because the the saw the person of our Executive Secretary to make the PHC in Nigeria up to standard in the country,” he said.
Earlier, the Programme Director, Sam Empowerment Foundation,Ms Kiema Ogunlana, who was one of the monitors within Gwarinpa area said the Primary Health Center lacked amenities especially in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH.
Ogunlana visited two projects, which were the Primary Healthcare Hospital, and the Junior Secondary School, all in Gwarinpa.
She said the healthcare lacked basic facilities, “The major challenge of the hospital is that they are short-staffed, they do not have a functional laboratory, they do not have oxygen in the hospital, they do not have accessibility for people living with disabilities.”
She, however said the hospital was newly built and the community was in synergy with the hospital.
She urged the government, particularly, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to bring a sensitisation program to the community to curtail the drug abuse.
“There is high rate of drug abuse around the hospital, which the Matron complained about that if the National Orientation Agency can come and do a sensitisation program in the community just to curtail the abuse.”
Meanwhile, she decried poor infrastructure for the school, adding that the students were exposed to open dedication as a result of lack of toilets.
Program Manager (PPDC), Ms Margaret Lawrence, said the program provided insights on how best to participate and take actions to improve the quality of projects delivered within the FCT communities.
“This engagement will provide insights on how best to participate and take actions to improve the quality of projects delivered within communities.
“It is to also know how we can leverage social platforms, positions, civic rights, and actions to improve service delivery within the Area councils,” she added.
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