The Kogi State Government has called on Local Government Chairmen and Administrators across the state to take full ownership of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), stressing that the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) cannot be realized without effective healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
The charge was given during a two-day Local Government Area Dialogue held in Lokoja with the theme, “The Role of Strategic Leadership in UHC: From Policy to Local Action.”
Representing Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade, described healthcare as a critical economic investment rather than a social burden.
She emphasized the need for local government leaders to bridge the gap between government policies and their implementation at the community level.
According to her, policies formulated at the state level would have little impact unless local governments actively provide leadership and ensure effective service delivery.
She identified three key priorities for local government authorities: taking absolute ownership of PHCs, ensuring accountability in the management of funds and equipment provided through the World Bank-supported IMPACT project and state allocations, and focusing on measurable outcomes such as reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
Dr. Ayoade urged participants to move beyond passive governance and develop practical strategies that would strengthen healthcare leadership at the local level.
In his presentation, the President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Dr. Terfa Kene, called for greater community participation in healthcare management.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Ward Development Committees (WDCs) as a sustainable pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage, particularly as the World Bank IMPACT project approaches its conclusion.
Dr. Kene noted that while donor-funded interventions have contributed significantly to healthcare development, local communities and governments must now embrace homegrown solutions. He advocated for stronger community involvement, proactive local government action, and the revitalization of WDCs.
He also introduced the concept of “hybrid communities,” where residents, local stakeholders, and members of the diaspora collaborate to mobilize resources for the support and development of primary healthcare facilities.
He further urged the expansion of health insurance schemes to provide financial risk protection for citizens, noting that primary healthcare extends beyond infrastructure to include prevention and health promotion.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, reminded local government chairmen that the management of primary healthcare remains their constitutional responsibility under the 1999 Constitution and the National Health Act of 2014.
He assured participants that while the state government would continue to provide oversight through the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), local governments must take responsibility for funding, equipping, and monitoring health facilities.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of KSPHCDA, Dr. Musa Omeiza Muazu, highlighted achievements recorded under the IMPACT project, including improved immunization coverage and a reduction in maternal mortality.
However, he warned that donor support would end in December 2026, making it imperative for local governments to sustain the gains through adequate funding, maintenance, staffing, and equipment provision.
On behalf of the local government chairmen, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Adamu Abdullahi, commended Governor Ododo’s efforts in strengthening the healthcare sector and pledged the support of council chairmen towards ensuring local ownership of primary healthcare services.
Traditional ruler, HRH Ali Bukar, also expressed the commitment of traditional institutions to supporting initiatives aimed at sustaining healthcare improvements and enhancing access to quality healthcare for residents across the state.
