TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has identified integrated healthcare delivery system as a key to socio economic development and progress of any nation, just as she emphasized on active community participation.
She made this known at the flag off of sensitization workshop of key stakeholders for the establishment of the community primary healthcare management system in the nation’s capital, also stressed the critical role of primary healthcare in sustainable development, as it remains the means to achieving Health For All.
The Minister, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy, Prof. Muhammad Usman, revealed that the FCT Administration within a year has progressed towards revitalization of the primary healthcare scheme and linking residents to services, adding that the administration has approved the implementation of the FCT-PHCB, 2019, and soon the FCT-PHCB with the Area Councils PHC governance structures would be established in line with the Act.
She, acknowledged that the administration was aware of the deplorable state of primary healthcare infrastructures and the enormous amount of money required to rehabilitate them, however assured that a phased approach to fix them would be adopted.
She further stated that: “Health which is a fundamental human right, requires PHC approach which allows for Integrated care comprising preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services extending from “womb to tomb”. It is the first point of contact with the National Health System and a key to socio economic development and progress of a country. As a matter of fact, Universal Health Coverage cannot be achieved without the involvement of the local community.
“The FCTA within a year, has progressed towards revitalizing the PHC scheme and linking residents to services. To strengthen PHC leadership and governance, the administration approved the implementation of the FCT PHCB Act, 2019 and soon the FCT PHCB with the Area Councils PHC Governance structures would be established in line with the Act.
“In the area of PHC infrastructure to expand physical access services, we are aware of the deplorable state of our PHC infrastructure and the enormous amount of money required to rehabilitate them. That is why we are adopting a phased approach to fix the problems”.
Aliyu revealed that this year, 2020, renovation of 12 PHC facilities would be concluded, another 6 PHC Clinics upgraded to PHC Centers and 6 more PHC centers would be rehabilitated across the six Area Councils, while reiterating the seriousness and urgency the FCT Administration handles matters impacting on maternal and child health services.
Earlier, the Acting. Secretary of FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu, noted that the community PHC management system was one of the essential principles of the primary healthcare scheme, stressing that with inter-sectoraral collaboration and equity in distribution of resources, community health outcomes would be improved significantly.
Meanwhile, the chairman, FCT
Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Ona of Abaji, HRM. Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, in his remarks charged participants to come up with document that could be used by the administration that would lead to significant improvement in the primary healthcare sector.
