The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), says it has successfully vaccinated over 54.7 million Nigerians against COVID-19 as of November 17, 2022.
According to the NPHCDA, this figure represents 49 percent of eligible persons targeted for vaccination.
The agency further noted that a total of 12,536,246 are partially vaccinated in the country, representing 11 percent of the eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has however stated that Primary Health Care (PHC) strengthening has become an urgent global concern because the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated pre-existing weaknesses.
Speaking during the induction/orientation of the Independent Judging Panel (IJP) of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Fund (PHCLCF) in Abuja, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, stated that PHCLCF is an opportunity for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to equitably compete within each of their six geopolitical zones for an annual best-performing and improving awards in PHC delivery.
Shuaib, who is presently chairing the steering committee meeting, said that PHCLCF would bring high-level recognition, pressure for improving Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and a monetary reward, while also encouraging neighboring states to do better.
