World Health Workers Day: Need For Investment In Health Workers Stressed
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Federal government of Nigeria says it has revitalised more than 4,000 Primary Health Centres, PHC, while working towards a new PHC model equipped will staff quarters, solar power, and assured potable water supply, to enable 24/7 service provision to citizens.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who stated this at a press briefing in commemoration of World Health Workers Week in Abuja, said, the essence was to integrate PHC activities of Federal, State and Local government, in one Authority, for synergy and to reduce fragmentation and waste of resources in management and delivery of PHC services.
The World Health Workers Week recognizes the need to support the future of the health workforce through short and long-term investments and support for front-line health workers, particularly in low- and middle income countries
The day is intended to create awareness and generate support for more investment in health workers, gender equity, stronger economy, climate resilience, emergency responses, health for all, good health and wellness outcomes for all.
In his brief, the Minister, noted that the Federal Government, in a bid to reverse poor health indices and provide Universal Health Coverage, initiated the revitalization of about 10,000 primary healthcare centers nationwide.
Dr. Ehanire, called on States to remove embargo on the employment of health workers and to invest in hiring more health workers which is a barrier to the vision of achieving universal health coverage and improved quality of care.
In his speech, the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, said, around 25% of health expenditure comes out of people’s pockets in the WHO African Region, and as a result, hundreds of millions of people in the African region have been pushed further below the poverty line due to spending on health.
According to him, to ensure Nigerians do not become poor while seeking medical services, WHO is supporting the government of Nigeria to operationalize the National Health Act and the National Health Insurance Act (2022).
Dr. Mulombo, stated that Nigeria is among 55 countries on the WHO’s Health workers support and Safeguard list, with shortage of health workers which calls for support for health workforce development and health system strengthening.
He disclosed that WHO has been supporting the government across all levels to build the capacity of health workers to improve health resources and services provided in the country.
The 7th of April every year is dedicated by the United Nations as World Health Day and this year also marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization.
The theme of the 2023 World Health Day is “Health for All –Strengthening PHC to Build Resilient Systems”, while the theme of the
World Health Workers Week is “Investing in the Health Work Force”.
The briefing was preceeded by a walk around the City centre to help enhance workers health.
