Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has called for immediate improvements in healthcare access to prevent avoidable deaths across the country. Speaking at the Third Church of Nigeria Health Summit in Abuja, he emphasized that the church must shift from planning to practical execution of its Health Action Plan.
Ndukuba identified significant barriers to care, including economic instability, the brain drain of medical professionals, and rising costs. To address these issues, the church is launching a Health Maintenance Organisation and plans to raise N1 billion by September. Additionally, the Bet Rafa Medical Centre has been cleared to begin operations in Abuja.
Dr. Muyi Aina of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency reported that the federal government has revitalized over 4,000 primary healthcare centers and invested N70.5 billion into the sector since 2023. These efforts have led to increased service visits, the recruitment of thousands of health workers, and measurable reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Representing NAFDAC, Mrs. Chizoba Maduaguna highlighted the importance of regulatory oversight for safe food and medicines. She noted that the agency has reached World Health Organisation Maturity Level 3, underscoring its commitment to consumer protection and public health standards.
