National Primary Health care Development Agency, NPHCDA.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced the commencement of an intensive training program for 126 newly recruited officers aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system. This strategic move underscores the federal government’s commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for millions of Nigerians, especially at the grassroots level.

Why Primary Health Care Matters

Primary health care (PHC) is widely recognized as the foundation of any strong health system. It provides essential services such as routine immunization, maternal and child care, disease prevention, and emergency health interventions. In Nigeria, where over 70% of the population lives in rural areas, a robust primary healthcare network is critical to reducing mortality rates and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

However, the Nigerian health sector faces daunting challenges:

• Shortage of skilled health workers: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has only 4 doctors per 10,000 people, far below the WHO-recommended minimum of 23 health workers per 10,000 population.
• Poor infrastructure: Many PHC centers lack electricity, clean water, and basic medical equipment.
• Low immunization coverage: Despite improvements, Nigeria still has one of the lowest immunization rates in Africa, contributing to avoidable child deaths from diseases like measles and polio.
• Limited funding: Public health funding remains at less than 5% of the national budget, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration target.

The Training Program: What It Covers

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, highlighted the importance of capacity building for sustainable health interventions. He stated:

“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of where they live, has access to quality primary health services. This training is part of our commitment to strengthening the health system and achieving Universal Health Coverage.”

The program will focus on four key areas:

1. Routine Immunization & Vaccination Campaigns
   Nigeria has made significant progress in eradicating polio and reducing vaccine-preventable diseases. However, immunization coverage remains below 60% in some northern states. The training will equip officers with strategies to improve coverage, track vaccine supply chains, and engage communities effectively.
2. Maternal and Child Health Services
   Nigeria accounts for 13% of global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births, according to WHO. Officers will learn best practices for antenatal care, safe delivery protocols, and child nutrition programs.
3. Health System Strengthening & Data Management
   Accurate health data is critical for decision-making. The training emphasizes digital health tools, disease surveillance, and accountability frameworks to ensure transparency and efficiency in PHC delivery.
4. Community Engagement and Risk Communication
   Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation remain major barriers to healthcare. Officers will be trained to engage communities, counter myths, and build trust in health interventions.

Impact on Nigeria’s Health Goals

This initiative aligns with the federal government’s strategy to reduce maternal and child mortality, eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, and build resilience against health emergencies. It also supports Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being).

Public health experts have praised the move, noting that the shortage of health workers has been a major bottleneck in achieving UHC by 2030. Dr. Aina emphasized that this is just the beginning:

“We plan to recruit and train more officers in the coming months to ensure that every primary health center in Nigeria is adequately staffed and equipped.”

Why This Matters Now

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep weaknesses in Nigeria’s health infrastructure, including inadequate human resources, poor funding, and weak supply chains. With emerging health threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), cholera outbreaks, and Lassa fever, strengthening the PHC system is critical for national health security.

Training frontline officers ensures rapid response capacity, better disease surveillance, and improved community health outcomes. It also helps in tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, which are on the rise in Nigeria.

The Road Ahead

While the recruitment of 126 officers is a welcome development, health analysts stress that systemic challenges remain. For lasting impact, the government must:

• Increase health funding to meet the Abuja Declaration commitment of 15% of the national budget for health.
• Upgrade PHC infrastructure, including reliable power supply, water, and essential medical equipment.
• Ensure regular training and motivation for health workers to prevent brain drain.
• Strengthen partnerships with state governments, development partners, and the private sector.

If implemented effectively, this program could serve as a model for health system reforms, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to quality healthcare.