FCT Launches N162B Strategic Health Development Plan

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched its Strategic Health Development Plan II from 2018- 2022.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who was represented at the unveiling recently by the Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, Adamu Abubakar Bappah said it was estimated to cost about N162 billion over the next five years.

He said: “While FCTA will make statutory budgetary provisions available, other financing gaps will be addressed with funding by development partners, World Bank assisted programmes, private sector and out of pocket expenditure by end-users at the healthcare facilities.”

Bello expressed FCTA’s commitment to providing effective and affordable healthcare services in Abuja, citing the commencement of health service provision from the Karu and Zuba General Hospitals, construction of 13 primary healthcare clinics, provisions of 10 solar powered boreholes, as well as upgrading and rehabilitation of 19 primary and secondary health facilities across the six FCT Area Councils.

“The FCT recorded 96.6 per cent coverage Yellow fever immunisation, where the FCT came first among the six implementing states for the November 2018 mass vaccination campaign, among others.

“The health sector is critical to Nigeria’s social and economic development with ample evidence linking productivity to quality of healthcare, while urging all stakeholders to use the framework and adequately harness the policy gaps and program interventions required to improve the performance of the health sector towards the delivery of quality, efficient and sustainable health care for all the residents of the FCT.

“The plan was developed in line with extant national health policies and legislation, national development agenda: Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), Vision 20:20:20 and international declarations and goals to which Nigeria is a signatory,” he added.