By Hassan Zaggi
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Shuaib Faisal, says his agency will use the same strategy it used to fight polio to sustain Nigeria’s current polio-free status.
He disclosed this at the award ceremony organized by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), NPHCDA branch, in Abuja yesterday.
The award ceremony was aimed recognizing individuals who contributed immensely in the attainment of polio-free Nigeria.
The Executive Director of the NPHCDA was given award as the Guardian of the Nigerian Child.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, was also given an award as the Outstanding leader of the Nigerian child.
Faisal applauded the MHWUN for its support to NPHCDA over the years.
He commended the leaders of the union for organizing the award ceremony which, according to him, has demonstrated high level understanding with the management over the years.
“We are going to use the same strategy and the resources that has made it possible for us to eradicate Wild Polio Virus (WPV).
“So, we have learnt so much from the almost three decades of trying to eradicate one disease. This is what we are going to plow into the health system strengthening priorities that we have.
“The great thing is that the National Assembly working with the Executives has made the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) a reality and just a few days ago, the Minister of Health, approved for the disbursement of funds all the way into states and primary health care centres.
“We are excited about what the future holds for us, we have no doubt that by the special grace of God, we will be able to deliver quality primary healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.
While commending the MHWUN, Dr. Faisal, said: “We thanked the union for the support. It is not easy to see such a harmonious relationship between the union and management.
“It is not easy because the management has been supportive, it is because of the very strong leadership that members of the union has shown.”
Earlier, the Chairman, MHWUN NPCHDA branch, Kingsley B. Gaiya, applauded the past heads of the agency for the various roles the played in achieving the polio-free status.
The award, he said, is to encourage workers at the NPHCDA to contribute more in the eradication of other emerging diseases.
“Those of us in the engine room as staff of the NPHCDA at the federal, state and local government levels are proud of this achievement.
“For this singular reason and to encourage us all in the battle against the spread of COVID-19 and other related diseases like lassa fever and others that today, we have decided to roll out our drums in celebration to appreciate those that provided and maintain the ladder we used in climbing this apex status,” he noted.
