Niger Assembly Health Committee Engages PHC Directors, Facility Heads on Accountability

The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Nutrition and Primary Healthcare has intensified its statewide oversight of primary healthcare facilities, engaging Directors of Primary Healthcare, Facility In-Charges and Ward Development Committee (WDC) Chairmen from eight Local Government Areas.

The engagement, held at the College of Nursing Sciences, Bida, brought together health officials from Bida, Gbako, Mokwa, Edati, Lavun, Agaie, Katcha and Borgu Local Government Areas.

The exercise was led by the Chairman of the Committee and member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Umar Nasir Paikoro, alongside other committee members.

During the engagement, the committee reviewed documents submitted by the participating Local Government Areas to assess the performance of their primary healthcare facilities, operational activities and utilisation of resources allocated to the sector.

Hon. Paikoro said the exercise was part of the legislature’s responsibility to promote accountability, monitor healthcare delivery and ensure that resources allocated to primary healthcare are properly utilised.

He said the engagement was also designed to identify challenges affecting service delivery and provide an avenue for the committee to interact directly with officials responsible for healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

The chairman acknowledged efforts by the executive arm of government to improve healthcare delivery in the state, stressing that the legislature would continue to complement such efforts through effective oversight, monitoring and accountability.

He expressed concern over inadequate record-keeping in some healthcare facilities and directed officers in charge to properly document activities, meetings, expenditures and financial transactions, including maintaining relevant receipts and supporting documents.

Paikoro also urged Directors of Primary Healthcare to take full responsibility for facilities under their supervision and ensure that administrative structures, discipline and respect for hierarchy were maintained.

He called on Facility In-Charges and WDC Chairmen to work closely with the Directors to identify healthcare needs and address challenges affecting their respective communities.

The committee commended the Directors of Primary Healthcare in Lavun and Katcha LGAs for their performance, commitment and dedication to improving healthcare services, urging other directors to emulate their efforts.

The Directors, in their separate responses, appreciated the committee for the engagement and pledged to take note of its observations and recommendations for implementation.

Also speaking, a representative of NiCare, Mrs Maryam Shuaibu, PhD, briefed participants on developments in the scheme and the importance of effective monitoring and oversight in maintaining standards and improving healthcare delivery.

She explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), established under Section 11 of the National Health Act 2014, supports efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria through funding for primary healthcare, health insurance, emergency care and other public health interventions.

Mrs Shuaibu also highlighted the mandatory use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for beneficiaries under the revised system, urging health officials to sensitise residents on the importance of NIN registration to facilitate enrolment.

The engagement is part of the Health Committee’s ongoing statewide oversight across Niger State’s 25 Local Government Areas, aimed at monitoring primary healthcare operations, strengthening accountability, identifying service-delivery challenges and supporting improved access to quality and sustainable healthcare at the grassroots.