'10,000 PHCs will enable Nigerians access quality healthcare,' Minister of State

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says the launching of the 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) will bring affordable and quality healthcare to the citizenry.

He said this on Saturday night in Ibadan at the 50th Anniversary Reunion Dinner Party of Government College Ibadan Old Boys` Association (GCIOBA) Class of 1961-65/67.

"This project looks too ambitious but it is realisable for the benefits of the citizenry to reduce the rate Nigerians seek medical treatment abroad.

"Despite the huge investment in equipment in the nation's hospitals, they have not been able to deliver sound healthcare services.

``This is what the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is trying to correct through its various strategies and programmes.

"With this, the federal, state and local governments would have to collaborate in overseeing the PHCs, `` he said.

The minister, in his keynote address entitled, "Challenges and Strategy of Healthcare Development in Nigeria," said that the architectural plan of healthcare in Nigeria were preventive, promotional, curative and rehabilitation.

He said that the nation had focused solely on the curative for so long.

"Most of the ailments taken to the hospital needed just advice from the physician and not drugs," he said.

Ehanire said that the preventive aspect plays a big role in checking illnesses, adding that it entails safe water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and immunisation.

"Poor hygiene, sanitation and supply of water accounts largely for diseases in Nigeria, `` he said.

In his address, Prof. Dele Fawole, President, GCIOBA Class of 61-65/67, said that the association had adopted the agricultural science laboratory of the school as its `` baby. ''

"We have completely renovated the laboratory at a cost of N2.5million and handed it over at a ceremony on Sept. 8, 2012.

"We also equipped the laboratory with 100 stools, microscopes, weighing balances, scientific charts totalling N627,900 to make learning of the subject easier for the students.

"This was handed over in July 2013, " he said.

He said members had resolved to continue to support the teaching and learning of agricultural science in the school.

In his address, Dr Lekan Are, the Chairman of the occasion, commended members of GCIOBA for their contributions to the school and urged them not to relent in doing more.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ehanire and Are were given awards at the event that was well attended by prominent members of the class