The House of Representatives requested the Federal Government on Friday to boost the budgetary allotment for the health sector in 2024.
This came after a proposal introduced by Fayinka Oluwatoyin, a member of the Abuja plenary who represents Mushin Federal Constituency ll in Lagos, was adopted.
Oluwatoyin, who presided over the discussion on the motion entitled, “Need for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) to work together with appropriate health agencies in states and Local Governments to ensure the efficiency of Primary Healthcare Centres,” bemoaned the alarmingly high number of deteriorated healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
As of 2020, Nigeria will have roughly 39,983 hospitals and clinics, with primary healthcare facilities making up about 34,000 of those, or 86 percent.
The rural areas, in particular, lack proper facilities and manpower, and only 20% of these primary healthcare centers are operational.
“The death toll in healthcare facilities has increased due to a lack of medical supplies, medications, trained personnel, electrical infrastructure, beds, and road networks.”
In its decision, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to assist states in reviving their paralyzed primary healthcare initiatives at the local level.
It encouraged the ministry to give the general public access to high-quality, reasonably priced medical care.
The ministry was also urged by the parliament to work with local governments, state equivalents, and other stakeholders to form a task force to end unethical behavior in the health industry.
