The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Board (FPHCB) on Monday signed a partnership agreement with Silver Cross Hospital, Abuja.
The collaboration is aimed at upgrading medical services and infrastructure at three Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the territory.
The affected facilities are the Saburi PHC (under Gwagwa ward), Dei-Dei PHC, and Idu PHC.
Speaking during a tour of the facilities, Dr Ruqayya Wamakko, Executive Secretary of the FPHCB, emphasised the global shift towards Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
She noted that such collaboration was critical to strengthening the health sector in the FCT.
“The government cannot do everything alone, even though it is doing a lot already. We must embrace partnerships to meet the healthcare demands of our growing population in the FCT,” she said.
Wamakko highlighted that private healthcare facilities significantly outnumbered public ones in the FCT, adding that they provided between 70 and 75 per cent of healthcare services across the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
“This partnership is crucial for reaching vulnerable groups in our communities, women, children, and people living with disabilities, and for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” she added.
She also addressed the global challenge of skilled healthcare workforce shortages, affirming that the FCT Administration was aware and taking steps to recruit more health workers, particularly at the PHC level.
According to her, the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, is already working behind the scenes to revamp the sector.
On the ongoing strike by PHC-level health workers, Wamakko assured that discussions were ongoing, led by the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, to find a resolution.
“In the last two to three weeks, all stakeholders, including community leaders and traditional rulers, have met to address the issue.
“Our minister is fully committed to resolving it,” she said.
Also speaking to NAN, Dr Patrick Ezie, Chief Executive Officer of Silver Cross Hospital, said the partnership aimed to form a cooperative network of healthcare facilities that would positively impact community health.
Ezie explained that Silver Cross Healthcare Foundation and its board members had agreed to support the FPHCB in enhancing PHCs through the PPP model by introducing best practices from the private sector.
“Over 60 per cent of PHCs serve about 70 per cent of the rural population. We want to ensure these centres have what they need to function effectively.
“The hospital will contribute to infrastructure upgrades, donate equipment, remodel facilities where needed, and provide manpower support as part of the philanthropic initiative.
“This is about giving back and ensuring that community members, especially laborers and low-income earners, have access to quality healthcare,” he added. (NAN)
