Cleric Urges FG to Rescue Failing Primary Healthcare Centres

The Senior Pastor of Graceville Christian Centre, Pastor Tunde Ayeni, has called on the Federal Government to urgently prioritise the revitalisation of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres (PHCs), stressing that accessible and quality healthcare is essential for national development.

Ayeni made the appeal on Sunday in Abuja during the church’s annual free medical outreach, “Meet The Doctors 2025.”

Speaking with journalists, Ayeni criticised the poor state of primary healthcare facilities nationwide, attributing it largely to inadequate government funding. He cited reports showing that out of roughly 30,000 PHCs in the country, only about 20 per cent are functional.

“Government at all levels bears the primary responsibility of ensuring these centres work, especially in remote areas,” he said. “Nigeria consistently allocates far less than the recommended 15 per cent of its national budget to healthcare. This must change.”

Drawing from data by the National Bureau of Statistics, he pointed out that 63 per cent of Nigerians—about 113 million people—live in multidimensional poverty, with lack of access to basic health services a significant factor.

Ayeni also warned against continued neglect of the health sector, which he said drives brain drain and fuels the rise in Nigerians seeking medical care abroad.

“As a church, we’ll keep providing practical support, but it is the government’s duty to build sustainable healthcare systems. No nation prospers without a healthy population,” he said.

He urged other religious bodies, private organisations and well-meaning individuals to join hands in tackling the country’s healthcare challenges.

The cleric noted that this year’s medical outreach, now in its third edition, served over 500 beneficiaries with free consultations, diagnostics, medication and mental health counselling, all handled by volunteer medical professionals. He emphasised that such initiatives are rooted in the church’s mission to care for both the spiritual and physical needs of people.