Nigeria @ 65: ACHPN Felicitates Nigerians, Calls for Stronger Primary Healthcare System

The President of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed, has extended his congratulations to Nigerians, particularly members of the Association, on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

In his goodwill message, Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed acknowledged that though Nigeria has faced numerous challenges, the nation’s sustained unity and corporate existence remain a blessing worthy of gratitude to God.

He praised the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and urged all citizens, especially political leaders, to remain committed to the ideals and aspirations on which the country was founded.

The ACHPN President expressed optimism that with the collective support of stakeholders, Nigeria would soon attain its rightful place among the comity of nations. He also called on religious bodies to continue offering prayers for the country to overcome its economic and security challenges, while wishing all Nigerians a joyous 65th Independence Anniversary.

Using the anniversary as a platform, Comrade Ahmed emphasized the urgent need to overhaul the nation’s Primary Healthcare System in order to improve the well-being of citizens. He stressed the importance of recruiting more community health practitioners to address the workforce deficit in primary healthcare centres nationwide.

The ACHPN leader also raised concerns over the welfare of health practitioners, particularly those deployed to rural communities, calling for improved remuneration and better welfare packages to enhance productivity and service delivery.

He further advocated for the upgrading of primary healthcare centres through the provision of essential amenities such as electricity, consumables, and clean water, which are critical for effective healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the role of healthcare in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Comrade Ahmed urged governments at all levels to increase budgetary allocations to the health sector, particularly in tackling child and maternal mortality.

He appealed to some state commissioners allegedly preventing community health practitioners from working in government facilities to reconsider their stance, stressing that such actions undermine efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

Additionally, Comrade Ahmed encouraged practitioners to actively participate in the forthcoming Scientific Conference as a means of boosting their knowledge, efficiency, and productivity.

Reaffirming the Association’s commitment, the ACHPN President assured that the body would continue to complement government’s efforts in repositioning the primary healthcare sector for better service delivery to Nigerians.