The All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled states have stated their resolve to align with the federal government on the declaration of 15 per cent annual allocation and release to healthcare services.
They have also resolved to undertake the establishment of sustainable healthcare financing systems such as health insurance and health emergency trust fund.
The position of the APC states was contained in a communique issued yesterday and jointly signed by the Kwara State Commissioner of Health, Dr Raji Razaq and the Director-General of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman, following the meeting of Commissioners of Health and Executive Secretaries of Primary Healthcare Development Agency of APC Controlled States on Improving Primary Health Care Delivery.
The meeting was held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Ilorin, Kwara State, with the theme “Improving Primary Health Care Delivery in APC State”.
The objectives of the meeting included Identifying challenges of primary healthcare delivery; Proffering sustainable solutions aimed at tackling the identified challenges confronting primary healthcare delivery; Facilitating the adoption of uniform implementation of policy initiatives on primary healthcare delivery across all APC states, among others.
The meeting resolved as follows: “The need for APC States to align with Federal Government declaration of 15% annual allocation and release to health care services;
“APC States to undertake establishment of sustainable healthcare financing systems such as health insurance and health emergency trust fund.”
The meeting also resolved that the APC States should domesticate Primary Health Care under one roof in line with federal government policy initiatives under the National Primary Health Care Development Authority.
It further resolved that priority consideration should be given to maternal and child nutrition in primary health care delivery services.
It added: “APC States to strengthen coordination of initiatives to fast track implementation of PGF Policy initiatives on Maternal and Child Health Services Delivery.”
It resolved that APC states should revitalise Primary Health Care Services, beyond erecting structures but also guaranteeing sustainable funding of facility operations to be prioritised.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja