By Folasade Akpan

The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) says it will adopt 222 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the country to improve their functionality and service delivery.

Its President, Dr Terfa Kene, disclosed this in Abuja at a news conference introducing the association’s new leadership and outlining its goals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new executive council of the association was elected on March 13 during its annual conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Kene noted that investment in PHCs by government, individuals, and communities had steadily declined over the years in spite of continued advocacy.

“While the government has made some efforts, they are still insufficient, given the size of our population.

“We have decided to adopt a minimum of 222 PHCs (six per state) and invest time and resources to enhance their functionality.

“This includes providing essential services and infrastructure such as renewable energy, particularly solar power.”

To fund the initiative, Kene said the association would explore crowdfunding, philanthropy, and grants.

He explained that APHPN would work through its members across the states to provide medical outreach, supervision, and telehealth services in the adopted PHCs.

As part of its broader vision, the association plans to inaugurate a virtual learning platform, the APHPN Virtual School, with operational studios in Delta State and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Kene, the initiative will serve as a source of verified public health knowledge and data, targeting both professionals and the general public.

“We also intend to engage our colleagues in the diaspora to reverse the effects of brain drain through knowledge sharing and skills transfer,” he added.

To this end, the association has established the APHPN Consultancy Services Limited (ACOSEL), which will offer national and international public health consultancy services to relevant institutions.

Recognising the key role of local governments in primary healthcare delivery, Kene said the association would also work to build the capacity of local government chairpersons.

He, however, regretted that only 40 per cent of local government areas have medical officers of health.

“We plan to partner with local governments to provide information, training, and engagement on the importance of primary health care.

“Our members will be linked to specific PHCs to carry out outreach activities at least twice a year, especially around World Health Day and World Heart Day,” he said.

Also speaking, the association’s Secretary-General, Dr Augustine Ajogwu, emphasised the importance of PHCs in epidemic prevention and response, noting that outbreaks begin and end in communities.

“Effective disease surveillance must be rooted in the community. Without strong surveillance structures tied to PHCs, it’s impossible to break the chain of infection,” he said.

He called for the deployment of Medical Officers of Health in all LGAs to monitor and supervise PHC activities, stressing that the World Health Organisation recommends having a PHC in every ward.

Ajogwu also called for sustained advocacy and structural reforms to ensure better health outcomes for Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola