FG Warns Against Diversion Of Drugs, Equipment As N23bn Healthcare Centres Revitalisation Kicks Off

The Federal Government has disclosed that it has spent more than N23 billion on the revitalisation of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the country as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and expand access to essential medical services.

The government also issued a stern warning to health workers and government officials against diverting or sabotaging medical equipment and essential drugs being distributed to PHCs nationwide.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the official flag-off of the distribution of medical equipment and health commodities to PHCs.

According to Aina, over N9 billion was spent on procuring and deploying medical equipment, while more than N14 billion was used for the procurement of essential health commodities, including drugs and vaccines.

He further revealed that 1,295 PHCs have been fully refurbished, with 38 of them now benefiting from newly installed solar power systems to improve operations.

Highlighting efforts to strengthen human resources, Aina said over 69,000 frontline health workers have been trained and provided with uniforms and work kits through partnerships, including support from the Renewed Hope Initiative led by the First Lady.

He noted that some states are already taking ownership of the reforms by employing additional healthcare personnel. “Kaduna, for example, has recruited 216 skilled health attendants and 969 community-based health workers,” he stated.

Speaking on maternal and child health, Aina said progress has been recorded under the Maternal and Child Health Initiative, with 411,000 pregnant women enrolled across 21 states. Of this number, 30,587 have already received care, including antenatal services and diagnostic referrals.

The NPHCDA boss urged state governments to dedicate more resources to staffing and maintaining PHCs to ensure sustainability. He also called on Nigerians to support upcoming immunisation campaigns, which aim to reach over 109 million children aged 14 and below.

“These campaigns will integrate measles and polio vaccinations with other critical interventions such as nutrition and malaria prevention,” Aina explained.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a crucial milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding a functional and accessible health system, particularly for underserved communities.

According to him, the health sector has suffered years of neglect, leaving many PHCs in disrepair, under-staffed, and poorly resourced. He said the ongoing revitalisation programme is designed to reverse this trend by ensuring facilities are not only rebuilt but also adequately staffed and equipped.

“For too long, our primary health care centres have languished. They are not very functional in many areas. Our mothers have to travel long distances for delivery, and many of them die in the process. Children missed their vaccinations. Communities didn’t have much hope,” Pate said.

The minister warned that the government would not condone diversion or misuse of medical supplies, stressing that culprits would face strict consequences regardless of their position.

“We will not stand idly by while these resources are misused. Any frontline worker, any health facility manager, any local government or state official, or even federal official who diverts anything that is deployed to serve our people will face consequences,” he cautioned.

Pate emphasised that the distribution was not a symbolic event but a practical fulfilment of promises made under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to overhaul Nigeria’s primary health care system.

“This is not just an event, but it is also a promise kept. Two years ago, we embarked on an ambitious effort to revitalise the primary health care system, setting targets, and now we are seeing that promise being kept,” he said.

The minister further acknowledged the contributions of development partners such as GAVI, the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s determination to provide equitable healthcare access nationwide.

“Today’s flag-off is further proof that the Nigerian health system can rise again and proof that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is real. Let us join together to build a health system that leaves no Nigerian behind,” he added.