By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency , NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib has assured Nigerians that investment in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine, the logistics, delivery and administration processes has the dual benefit of protection against COVID-19 infection and strengthening the country’s primary health care system.
Shuaib said this recently during a NPHCDA meeting with religious leaders in Abuja on COVID- 19 vaccines sensitization at the community level.
This was contained in a press release signed by Muhammed Ohitoto, Head, Public Relations of NPHCDA and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
He further explained that the expected engagement of additional healthcare workers to administer the vaccine and ensure non-disruption of routine services, the intensive capacity building and the acquisition of new and additional cold chain equipment will contribute immensely to strengthening the PHC system.
According to the NPHCDA boss such holistic approach to health system strengthening, driven through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 is based on global standards and it’s in line with observations and recommendations of donors and development partners.
He however said that any contrary report the vaccines investment approach does not prioritize strengthening of the health system stems from a lack of complete understanding of the health system and should be disregarded.
He was optimistic that irrespective of challenges, long after the country has overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons learnt, the new skills acquired by health workers and the infrastructural improvements would place the country in better stead to manage future pandemics.
He also explained that low and medium income countries like Nigeria would have fair and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire is also engaged with the African Union through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team to ensure this success.
He further assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to securing safe, efficient and cost effective COVID-19 vaccines to stop ongoing community transmission of the virus.
In the same way the PTF has called on State governments to put all the necessary logistics in place to ensure a successful vaccination exercise.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders in Nigeria have pledged their support for the COVID-19 vaccine introduction in the country, urging the Federal Government to procure adequate quantities of the vaccine.
His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto has urged Nigerians to get vaccinated as soon as safe, effective NAFDAC certified vaccines are available.
He also stressed the need to disregard rumours about the vaccine and rely only on information from credible sources for decision making.
