By Philomina Attah
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and the Federal Government have forged a strategic partnership toward curbing preventable deaths, expanding healthcare access and training everyday citizens as life savers.
The initiative was highlighted at the 3rd Church of Nigeria Health Summit held at St. Mathias House, the Church’s national headquarters, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The summit, with no fewer than 100 delegates representing 50 dioceses nationwide, had the theme: “Steadfast in Purpose: Implementation of the Church of Nigeria Health Action Plan for Lasting Impact”.
Speaking at the occasion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of All Nigeria and Convener of the Church of Nigeria Health and Medical Task Force, said that basic medical access was a fundamental right of every citizen.
”Our people must no longer die of preventable sicknesses.
“Medical help should be available to all our people; they must live to fulfil the purpose of God in the land of the living,” he said.
Ndukuba called on medical professionals and Church stakeholders to move beyond declarations and focus on practical execution.
He said that the healthcare ministry was “an essential expression of the gospel aiming for holistic wellbeing across the physical, mental and spiritual domains”.
He said the core objectives of the summit included evaluating progress on strategic initiatives such as establishing the Church of Nigeria Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO).
Acknowledging national health sector challenges, Ndukuba pointed to economic inflation, the brain drain of medical professionals, and inadequate infrastructure.
He urged stakeholders not to be discouraged, but to drive innovation, strategic partnerships and prudent stewardship.
Dr Muyi Aina, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a remark, assured the Anglican Communion of the Federal Government’s readiness to deepen its partnership to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Aina said that the Churches Health Action Plan was directly in alliance with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
Highlighting government interventions, Aina disclosed that 4,161 Primary Health Centers (PHCs), nationwide had undergone revitalisation, with 3,275 completed.
He added that N70.5 billion had been disbursed to PHCs since 2023 through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BCPF), covering essential care and emergency obstetric services.
”Gone are the days when the inability to pay is the reason why women in danger and in need of emergency care are left stranded.
“Through our collective efforts, Nigerians are beginning to trust the primary healthcare system again,” he said.
He urged Church leaders to actively combat health misinformation, particularly regarding vaccines, and encouraged the Church’s 21 million members to utilise available public and Church-owned primary healthcare facilities.
Earlier, Dr Peter Nmadu, the Co-Chairman of the Central Working Committee and Task Force, highlighted key activities of the summit to include practical pre-conference workshop organised in collaboration with the Cardiac Society of Nigeria.
Nmadu explained that the workshop was designed to train and certify ordinary bystanders as community first responders capable of administering immediate medical aid during sudden physical collapses.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the summit featured goodwill messages and representations from key health sector regulatory agencies including the NHIA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Benson Ezugwu