Government Seeks Local Government Support In Boosting Primary Healthcare

Government Seeks Local Government Support In Boosting Primary Healthcare

The federal government has sought collaboration of local government leaders for efficient delivery of primary healthcare across the country.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the federal government takes the role of local governments crucial in achieving national health coverage.

Ali Pate said this on Tuesday in a meeting with the leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON ).

“We greatly appreciated their openness and constructive engagement. We explored the critical role that local governments play in ensuring a well-functioning primary healthcare (PHC) system in Nigeria.

“The 2014 National Health Act (NHA) envisions healthcare under one roof, establishing a national health system that delineates responsibilities across federal, state, and local levels. Local governments are crucial in providing basic health services that address common health challenges and promote preventive care,” Pate said.

He added that the meeting provided opportunity for the ministry and local government leadership to discuss the federal government’s sector-wide health compact programme to ensure coherence and collaboration among all levels of government.

Pate, however, said recent developments concerning local government autonomy made it necessary for more engagement between the federal government and local governments.

“The Compact is facilitating a coordinated approach to healthcare delivery, aligning efforts and resources to achieve common health goals. While local governments have been part of the Compact from the onset, recent developments have made their role even more robust and impactful,” he said.