WHO Mobilises Private Investors for Nigeria’s Healthcare

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has flagged off a collaborative venture with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), under the “Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP).”

Speaking at the Project Collaboration Signing Ceremony between WHO and PSHAN, held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said PSHAN aims to establish at least one global-standard Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
He said the project will be executed in line with the guidelines of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

He added that WHO will provide technical assistance to PSHAN and the NPHCDA in the execution of the project, to ensure capacity strengthening and adherence to guidelines, norms, and standards; accountability for results, and value-for-money.

“This partnership is consistent with the WHO offer to the Government of Nigeria as encapsulated in the 4th Generation Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy (CCSIV) which over the next four years, would guide our commitment and investment to ensure that no one is indeed left behind, in line with the GPW13 and ensuing GPW14.

“Let me at this point note with optimism the plan of the Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP), PSHAN aims to establish at least one global-standard Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas which is in line with the guidelines of the NPHCDA.

Mulombo further said: “My expectation is that the Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme will go beyond establishing PHC facilities, to ensure that private sector investment is directed towards improving the standards of service delivery including primary emergency care effort of government and all stakeholders are integrated to avoid fragmentation and ensure sustainable and resilient PHC systems to prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases and outbreaks.

According to him, the initiative will ensure that: “Adequate investments are made to strengthen critical primary healthcare systems such as retention skilled and motivated health workforce at the PHC level; essential medicines, vaccines, and commodities; appropriate infrastructure and equipment; as well as appropriate technology, pooled funds cover PHC so that all citizens would access PHC services free at the point of service use while paying attention to equitable resource allocation and prioritisation of those most in need proactive and scientific effort is made to track progress from the baseline.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PSHAN, Tinuola Akinbolagbe, said the significance of the initiative is to bring together the diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives of the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and international organisations.
She said: “At the core of our partnership lies the visionary Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP), a flagship initiative aimed at establishing globally standardised Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

“This initiative embodies our collective resolve to bridge the gap between healthcare demand and supply, empower local communities, and catalyse systemic change from the grassroots up.

“Through targeted investments, capacity-building initiatives, and innovative approaches to service delivery, we aim to create a healthcare ecosystem that is resilient, responsive, and inclusive.

“The collaboration between WHO and PSHAN signifies a significant milestone in our collective efforts to enhance healthcare delivery through primary healthcare delivery. With this partnership, we aim to leverage the strengths and resources of both partners to address pressing health challenges and improve health outcomes across the country.”