Reps say less than 20% of Nigeria’s health centres working

The House of Representatives has stated that less than 20 percent of Nigeria’s primary health care centres are in good working condition.

The House as part of a resolution, based on a motion titled ‘Call to investigate the non-functional national Primary Health Care Centres in the country’ adopted at the plenary on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the non-functionality of Primary Healthcare Centres in the country and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

A member of the House, Sergius Ogun, who moved the motion, had noted that pursuant to Section 3(b)(v) of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act, the NPHCDA was established to, among other things, stimulate the technical development of primary healthcare centres on an equitable basis in all local government areas in the country.

He said, “The House is concerned that despite the revitalisation programme, only less than 20 per cent of the 30,000 Primary Healthcare Centres in the country are in good working condition, while others are either completely grounded or ineffective in the delivery of primary healthcare services.

“The House is also concerned that most of the Primary Healthcare Centres lack basic healthcare services, essential drugs and services, and infrastructure and are located in unhygienic environments.

“The House is worried that despite the huge resources invested into the scheme by Federal Government, the programme has failed to achieve the desired objectives;

“The House is also worried that the failure of the primary healthcare development programme portends danger to the lives of citizens who cannot afford costly treatments.”

Meanwhile, the House also resolved to investigate the hike in the fee imposed on Nigerians who had medical and dental training in foreign schools.