Nigerian Govt inaugurates southern traditional rulers committee on primary health care

The Nigerian government has inaugurated the Southern Tradition Rulers Council Primary Health Care Committee to drive acceptance of immunization across communities.

Speaking at the inauguration, the minister of health, Muhammad Ali Pate noted that the committee is vital to boost primary health care penetration across Nigeria.

On his part, Director General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Muyi Aina said the inauguration is a significant step for the agency to build trust between the government and communities.

“This event in itself marks a very significant step in our efforts to build trust between the health systems broadly.

“We are working together with you on the polio eradication program, and the objective, given the targets that have been set globally, is that by the end of 2027, Nigeria should be completely free of the circulating variant polio virus,” he said.

Speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, assured the federal government of the support of southern traditional leaders to provide Nigeria basic healthcare.

“And as a face of Southern Nigeria, you can see that we are all fully represented here across the board. So, Honorable Minister, please rest assured. We are with you,” he said.

DAILY reports that the committee is chaired by Oba Ogunwusi, with the chairman of the traditional rulers’ council in Edo, Anambra, Delta, Abia, and other southern states as members.

Earlier Dr. Mahmud Zubaira, Head of Mission, Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), assured the monarchs of stakeholders’ support to drive primary health services in Nigeria.