Primary Health: Nigeria To Beef up Relations With Traditional Rulers To Increase Services

The Nigerian Government is strengthening partnership with the Traditional institutions to expand the services and delivery of Primary Heath Care to the citizens of the Country.

This was the resolution at the maiden quarterly review meeting between the National Primary Heath Care Development Agency and Nigeria’s Southwest Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Heath Care Delivery.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, while addressing them said that the partnership with the Traditional institutions is key in the realization of Primary Heath Care access and Delivery to communities across the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole.

Dr. Ehanire noted that traditional rulers are pivotal to the promotion of health, hygiene, sanitation and advocacy to immunization.

Dr. Ehanire explained that, traditional rulers across the country have been very supportive of government initiatives in the health sector especially in mobilization, disease surveillance and reporting.

Also, the Executive secretary National Primary Heath Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shu’aibu, said traditional rulers are the closest to the people, who play significant roles in the enlightenment of communities during the outbreak of diseases as well as acceptance of immunizations.

The chairman southwest Traditional Rulers Council and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, believes that Primary Heath Care is the foundation of health in the society and called on the agency to do more in improving the Heath of the people of Southwest.