The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care (PHC) system has emerged as one of the best in the country at the 2nd edition of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge awards.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Bola Ajao, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Mrs Adedolapo Fasawe, on Friday in Abuja.
The statement indicated the award, launched by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in 2022, held its first edition in 2023.
It noted the second edition of the award recently took place in Abuja, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by former FCT Minister, Alhaji Aliyu Madibbo.
The statement said PHC Leadership Challenge was created by the NGF to strengthen and improve the Primary Health Care system nationwide, as well as assess the performance of states.
The statement also noted that the event attracted several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo.
It said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, was also in attendance.
According to the statement, the FCT emerged as the runner-up for “Best Performing and Most Improved State,” receiving a cash prize of 400,000 dollars in recognition of its exceptional progress in strengthening the PHC system in the territory.
The statement highlighted that the FCT, along with other states, would continue efforts to enhance Universal Health Coverage in 2024.
It said since President Bola Tinubu’s administration began, the FCT healthcare system had seen significant improvement under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The statement, quoting Fasawe in her response, emphasized that the award reflected the FCT Minister’s strategic leadership and investment in healthcare, as well as the quality services being delivered daily at PHC centres across the city.
She also noted the effective use of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in improving antenatal care.
Fasawe, represented by Dr Ruqqaya Wamako, Acting Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, further stated that the system had increased the use of modern contraceptive methods and the proportion of women delivering with skilled birth attendants.
She said these improvements were supported by targeted awareness and education efforts aimed at vulnerable populations.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the entire management team and staff of HSES, along with other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), calling for continued collaboration to further strengthen the PHC system.(NAN)
