In a landmark move to strengthen Nigeria’s health care delivery, top health officials, state representatives, local government authorities, and civil society organizations have agreed on transformative resolutions to improve Primary Health Care (PHC) in the wake of growing calls for Local Government Financial Autonomy.
The Federal Government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), convened a one-day National Stakeholders' Engagement in Abuja on March 13, 2025.
The forum focused on accelerating improvements in PHC using the legal foundation of local government financial autonomy and the Supreme Court judgment on local government funds.
Key Resolutions to Transform Nigeria's Primary Health Care System
- Leverage Local Government Financial Autonomy to accelerate PHC reform, strengthening linkages between Local Government Areas (LGAs) and State Primary Health Care Boards (SPHCBs).
- Reposition PHC under a One Functional Authority at the LGA level through legislation that clearly defines SPHCB roles and ensures effective governance.
- Pool Resources: States and LGAs to contribute to a basket fund that includes Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), development partner funds, and philanthropy under the National Health Act.
- Establish Accountability Frameworks for PHC finances across State, LGA, and facility levels including separate bank accounts.
- Capacity Building: Strengthen LGA-level capacity to manage primary health care effectively.
- Joint Health Planning: States and LGAs to develop joint health plans, monitoring, and supervision mechanisms.
- Centralized HR Recruitment: Adopt a standardized system for recruiting, funding, and deploying PHC workers.
- Minimum Service Package: Enforce provision of essential PHC services, infrastructure, equipment, and staffing that meet national standards.
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Develop a joint roadmap involving federal, state, LGA, and non-state actors to align PHC financing, governance, and delivery in line with the National Health Act.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners applauded the collaboration and committed to supporting Nigeria’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improved health outcomes for all.
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