The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has announced that the Federal Government plans to scale up the number of functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs) from approximately 1,800 in 2023 to 17,000 by 2027.
Speaking through the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Suleiman Bello, at the 5th Annual Delegates Meeting and General Conference of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) held at the Katsina State Secretariat, Pate emphasized that this expansion is not just a numerical goal but a transformative step toward improving healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, training, and community resilience.
The minister commended the conference’s theme, “Universal Applicability of Care Standards for Patients and the Wellbeing of Healthcare Providers,” and its sub-theme, “Medical Doctors and Politics: The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Shaping Public Policy,” noting their relevance to the current state of the nation’s healthcare system.
He stated:
Care standards are the blueprint for consistent, measurable, and accountable healthcare. They define our desired outcomes, the methods to achieve them, and the ethical standards that must guide every medical interaction.
Pate also revealed the inauguration of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee, a statutory body under the National Health Act. The committee is tasked with setting and enforcing minimum standards across federal tertiary hospitals. Its scope includes master planning, inspections, accreditation, and capacity development. He stressed the importance of enforceable standards, stating,
Without enforceable standards, excellence remains merely aspirational.
The minister highlighted the government’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aims to achieve universal health coverage by revitalizing the PHC system, strengthening human resources, and ensuring equitable healthcare financing.
In his remarks, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda urged the NMA to maintain constructive engagement with government and stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery. He reiterated his administration’s dedication to supporting healthcare professionals and outlined key initiatives implemented since taking office in 2023.
Governor Radda said:
We are committed to improving healthcare infrastructure. We’ve upgraded seven Comprehensive Health Centres to General Hospitals, commissioned a 16-bed ultra-modern dialysis centre, and are developing an advanced imaging and diagnostics centre. A pharmaceutical production facility is also under construction, alongside the provision of 21 containers of essential hospital equipment.
He further disclosed plans to upgrade 170 PHCs across the state, aiming for at least one fully functional PHC in each of Katsina’s 361 wards.
Our goal is to equip each PHC with trained personnel, modern equipment, and quality infrastructure.
Additionally, Radda announced progress in human resources development, including the commencement of postgraduate medical training in Family Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology following accreditation.
He commended the NMA members for their role in patient care and medical education, stating:
You are the backbone of our healthcare system and the leaders of tomorrow. I encourage you to continue advocating for policies that promote better healthcare delivery and welfare for practitioners.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, Chairman of the Katsina Chapter of the NMA and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, described the conference as a platform for reflection, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. He acknowledged the challenges and progress made in recent years and highlighted the association’s efforts to secure improved working conditions and enhance public health awareness in partnership with the state government.