The signing ceremony for the “Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP)” partnership agreement between the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken place in Victoria Island, Lagos, marking a significant collaboration between the two organizations. This partnership marks an important achievement in the united effort to enhance the availability of high-quality primary healthcare services for better health results in the country, establishing a solid basis for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health protection.
Furthermore, the ADHFP initiative ensures that every nation’s 774 local government areas have a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) that meets global standards. This effort aligns with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) guidelines and the Federal Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme. During her opening speech, Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO of PSHAN, stated the significance of working with WHO to bring together various groups to attain Universal Health Coverage and enhance health results nationwide.
Leveraging key sectors will strengthen the coverage initiative.
This important collaboration reflects the Federal Ministry of Health’s comprehensive approach to care delivery across the sector. By uniting the varied skills, assets, and viewpoints of public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and international organisations, they establish the groundwork for achieving universal coverage. She explained that by teaming up, they intend to utilise each partner’s unique capabilities and assets to tackle urgent health issues and enhance health results nationwide. She mentioned that the partnership is centred around a key initiative of PSHAN.
Also, the program aims to address the healthcare supply-demand disparity by establishing standardised primary centres in every part of the country. It relies on the support of adopters and strategic partners to provide creative financing solutions. This collaborative effort demonstrates a commitment to strengthening local communities, restoring trust in the healthcare system, and driving transformative change at the grassroots level. By engaging stakeholders and mobilising resources, the program seeks to promote equal access to quality services for all individuals nationwide.
Mulombo stressed the importance of collaboration for seamless healthcare.
Emphasising the significance of working together, Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO’s Representative in Nigeria and Head of Mission, stated the partnership with PSHAN as a crucial step towards offering support and securing resources for targeted interventions in primary healthcare programs and services through the participation of the private sector. Together, they aim to create exemplary primary care centres that can serve as a blueprint for others. They will work together to pinpoint key areas that require immediate attention, evaluate facilities needing assistance, execute specific interventions, monitor progress, and record successful strategies for continuous growth and expansion.
However, this all-encompassing strategy guarantees that their actions align with government programs and lead to remarkable advances in outcomes throughout the country. Similarly, on April 4, 2024, a signing ceremony occurred at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. It brought together PSHAN, WHO, Muhammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the executive director of NPHCDA, Muyi Aina. Various government officials, ministry representatives, and development agencies attended the event. While, Private Sector stakeholders gathered at the Lagos event to witness the ceremony and demonstrate their unwavering support for both organisations.
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Lastly, those present at the signing ceremony included Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Access Holdings chairman and Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation chairman; Weert Borner, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Lagos; Odunayo Sanya, MTN Foundation executive director; Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation executive vice-chairman; Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) founder; along with Aisha Haruna, on behalf of Kelechi Ohiri, National Health Insurance Authority director general, and others. With the nation facing numerous health limitations such as costly expenses, infectious illnesses, maternal and pediatric health concerns, and chronic diseases, this collaboration offers hope in tackling healthcare issues with creative strategies to promote better health results for future generations.