Senator Natasha commends FG on effort to disburse N50 billion to primary healthcare centres

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has commended the Federal government on the ongoing effort to disburse N50 billion to primary health centres across the country.

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to the lawmaker, Arogbonlo Israel, Natasha said, the amount would be disbursed in first quarter of 2024, noting that it was a good development which she has persistenly been advocating.

In the rural areas, she said, there are more women vulnerable to child mortality which the fund would strengthen activities of primary health care centres to be able to cater for them.

The lawmaker was said to have called for resuscitation of Primary Healthcare Centres an interactive session by the Senate Committee on Health with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate last month.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had canvassed on need to enhance primary healthcare facilities in Kogi Central during plenary, adding that she will work closely with the Ministry of Health to achieve their aim.

In latest development, the Health Minister said the federal government is set to expand the primary healthcare centres from 8,000 to 17,000 facilities to enroll more vulnerable Nigerians for enhanced access to quality healthcare services.

He further noted the funds already accrued in the Basic Health Provision Fund (BHCPF), would be channeled through state PHC facilities to provide essential services to women and children.

He disclosed this during the fifth Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting held in Abuja.

“In the first quarter of 2024, at least N50b, which has already accrued in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

“We expect that to be disbursed through the State’s primary health care facilities to deliver services to women and children.

“That is part of the target that Mr President has set for us so that we can expand the facilities over the next four years from 8,000 to almost 17,000 healthcare centers but also to enroll more vulnerable Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare services,” the minister disclosed.