Thread by @toluogunlesi

Been meaning to do this thread for a while - looking at Healthcare in Nigeria, and what @NGRPresident @AsoRock have achieved in the last 4 years, under President @MBuhari

Use seatbelt let’s take a ride.

The starting point for this is the fact that the responsibility for healthcare in Nigeria is shared by all three tiers of Govt. Primary Health Care is largely in the hands of the States and Local Govts. Anyone looking EXCLUSIVELY to Abuja for progress is making a mistake.

Of course the FG has an important supporting role. And under @MBuhari it has played that role diligently. #DidYouKnow that since 2016, the Buhari Admin has given State Govts (all 36 States + FCT) a total of US$259 Million specifically to improve Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.

The $259 million disbursed to States by @AsoRock since 2016 has come in three Tranches: an initial disbursement of $1.5m to each State in June 2016, followed by two performance-based disbursements in Nov 2017 and Nov 2018 respectively.

So each State Governor/Govt first got $1.5m, and then was subsequently allocated more funding based on the results they showed with earlier payments.

Keep this in mind: The Federal Government does not own or run any Primary Health Centres, and does not employ or pay the workforce of these PHCs - this is wholly the responsibility of States and Local Governments. Hence why it’s important to keep the focus not just on Abuja.

$259m in performance-based disbursements to 36 States and FCT - it is extremely important for citizens and CSOs to also hold the Governors and LGAs accountable for the demonstration of results.

Policy making is an important part of the FG’s work in health. The @MBuhari Administration has developed a new National Health Policy for Nigeria. The 3rd in Nigeria’s history, after 1988 and 2004. Approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2017: punchng.com/fg-approves-ne…

Establishment of the Basic Health Care Fund (BHCPF): For the first time ever (ie since the National Health Act was signed into law), 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) – amounting to 55 billion Naira – was appropriated in the 2018 budget for the Fund.

The @NCDCgov Act was signed into law by President Buhari in 2018, seven years after NCDC was established.

If you want to find out about the amazing work that’s been going on at the NCDC since 2016, led by @Chikwe_I, check out this new article in @nature: nature.com/articles/d4158…

GAVI Extension:

In 2018 Nigeria secured a 10-year extension and an additional funding of $1.03bn from @gavi to finance the procurement of vaccines.

Ratification of the Joint Venture Agreement between @AsoRock and May&Baker Nigeria Plc on Local Production of Vaccines. The Board of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited - the JV - was inaugurated Jan 2018. Production of common Vaccines to start in Nigeria by 2021: biovaccinesnig.com/companyprofile…

Tertiary Hospitals Upgrade:

8 Federal Hospitals being upgraded
• ABUTH Zaria: New Cardiothoracic Center
• LUTH: New Cancer Center, New Blood Bank, New Modular Theatre with 6 operating rooms, new A&E Lab
• National Hospital Abuja: New Cancer Center with 2 high-energy LINACs