The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has said Nigeria’s tiered healthcare system, comprising primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, is structured to ensure efficiency and effective case management.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, stated this on Tuesday during the agency’s first quarterly media briefing for 2026 in Abuja.
He explained that primary healthcare serves as the first point of contact for most citizens and is responsible for routine services, including immunisation.
Aina added that more complex cases are referred to secondary and tertiary facilities with higher levels of expertise, noting that referrals become necessary when conditions exceed the capacity of frontline health centres.
“Vaccination is fundamentally a primary healthcare responsibility because that is where most people access services,” he said.
Aina noted that where individuals are unable to receive certain vaccines for medical reasons, families and the health system must adopt alternative preventive measures to reduce disease risks.
He emphasised shared responsibility between families and the health system in improving child health outcomes, stressing that prevention strategies should be tailored to individual needs.
On broader health sector issues, he commended efforts to mobilise public and private resources for health interventions, describing donor and partner support as critical to the sector.
Aina, however, cautioned that interventions must be prioritised based on impact, especially in resource-constrained settings, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
“Malnutrition interventions, for instance, are targeted at children and expectant mothers because of the critical role nutrition plays in brain development and long-term human capital outcomes,” he said.
According to him, screening at primary health centres helps identify cases of acute malnutrition, enabling beneficiaries
to receive targeted support through structured voucher systems and monitored food assistance programmes.
“Beneficiaries are followed up at health facilities until they recover or exit the programme, ensuring accountability and continuity of care,” he added.
The NPHCDA boss called for stronger collaboration among government, development partners, and private individuals to sustain health interventions.
He also urged citizens to take greater responsibility in supporting government programmes and ensuring proper use of public health resources.
“While government develops systems, policies, guidelines, and finances interventions, citizens also have a role in ensuring that resources are used appropriately.
“Government will continue to try, but it cannot do everything alone. Citizens must also do the right thing,” Aina said.
He expressed concern over the diversion and misuse of public health resources, stressing the need for collective accountability to ensure that interventions reach intended beneficiaries.
Aina called on families and communities to take ownership of national health programmes, noting that discipline and accountability are key to sustainability.
“We must begin to take responsibility for ourselves, our families, and our communities. It should not all be left to government,” he said.
Aina also warned against rejecting preventive health measures, emphasising the importance of informed decision-making.
Ana highlighted the role of the media in promoting public awareness, describing journalists as key partners in communicating health policies and programmes.
On primary healthcare delivery, he said Nigeria’s system operates with defined functionality standards, noting that a Level 2 primary health centre is expected to provide services such as maternal care, malaria treatment, immunisation, family planning, nutrition support, basic diagnostics, and treatment of common illnesses.
He added that such facilities should operate with trained personnel, essential equipment, clean water, electricity, and round-the-clock services.
“A functional primary health centre can address between 80 and 85 per cent of basic healthcare needs,” Aina said.
He noted that increased investment in primary healthcare would significantly reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals.
Aina reiterated the need to build public trust in the health system to improve uptake of immunisation and other essential services.
(NAN)
