By Muhyideen Jimoh
The Federal Government has reaffirmed plans to expand immunisation programmes and revitalise 8,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the 2024–2028 Medium-Term Framework.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
He said the framework places strong emphasis on social welfare and healthcare delivery across the country.
“Mr President is committed to human capital development as captured in this 2024–2028 MTF,” Salako said.
He added that the ongoing upgrade of more than 4,000 primary health centres will be sustained alongside the planned 8,000 facilities.
“It means the revitalised 4,000 PHCs and the additional 8,000 on stream can be sustained,” he explained.
Salako said the commitment to sustained funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund will accelerate the process nationwide.
He noted that this aligns with the President’s agenda to strengthen primary healthcare as the system’s foundation.
The minister said the council’s approval ensures continuity of key immunisation programmes introduced by the administration.
“The commitment to fund immunisation from the MTF means we can scale up innovative programmes Mr President has introduced,” he said.
Salako cited the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine, which he said has reached millions of girls.
“For example, the HPV introduction has seen over 40 million Nigerian children immunised,” he said.
He added that the combined measles–rubella vaccine programme will also expand significantly next year.
“The novel combined rubella rollout, which reached nearly 30 million children, can be scaled up next year,” he said.
Salako stressed that the administration remains focused on policies improving citizens’ wellbeing.
“It highlights Mr President’s commitment to social welfare, which touches the average Nigerian directly,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
