Key Takeaways
- Nigerians must no longer die from preventable illnesses, says Archbishop Henry Ndukuba
- The Church of Nigeria aims to turn its Health Action Plan into measurable results
- Challenges in the healthcare sector include economic hardship, migration of skilled health professionals, and inadequate infrastructure
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, has declared that Nigerians must no longer die from preventable illnesses, demanding stronger action to make medical care accessible to all. This statement was made at the opening of the Third Church of Nigeria Health Summit in Abuja.
The summit featured key stakeholders, including the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, and the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Mrs Chizoba Maduaguna. Archbishop Ndukuba emphasized that the church must stop dwelling on plans and resolutions and begin turning its Health Action Plan into measurable results that improve the lives of Nigerians.
Healthcare Challenges and Initiatives
Archbishop Ndukuba listed economic hardship, inflation, migration of skilled health professionals, inadequate infrastructure, poor welfare for healthcare workers, emerging diseases, and rising healthcare costs among the major challenges confronting the sector. To address these challenges, the Church of Nigeria is developing a Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, with bishops committing to raise N1 billion by September.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has refurbished 4,161 primary healthcare centres nationwide, with 3,275 completed and work ongoing on 886. More than 23,000 skilled birth attendants, midwives, nurses, and community health workers have been recruited, while 80,000 frontline health workers have been retrained. The government has also disbursed N705 billion to primary healthcare since 2023, and more than 23 million Nigerians are currently insured through the National Health Insurance Authority.
Why This Matters
The call for action by Archbishop Ndukuba and the progress reported by the government highlight the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare in Nigeria. As the country continues to face significant healthcare challenges, it is crucial that all stakeholders work together to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality medical care and that preventable illnesses are addressed effectively, ultimately saving lives and improving the overall well-being of the population.