From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Anambra State has emerged the best-performing state in the country at the 2024 Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge, winning a total of $1.2 million.
This included $700,000 for overall excellence and an additional $500,000 for being the top performer in the South-East zone. Abia State was recognized as the runner-up in the South-East category, earning $400,000 for its efforts.
Gombe State also shone brightly, securing $800,000 for its innovative healthcare initiatives and being named the first runner-up in the Northeast zone. Gombe PHC Innovation Award, saved the state ₦2.1 billion through biometric.
Winners from other zones each received $500,000, including Kwara for the North-Central region (marking their second consecutive win), Kaduna for the North-West (also second in a row), Rivers for the South-South (twice in succession), Osun for the South-West, and Yobe for the North-East.
The first runners-up from these zones were awarded $400,000 each, with notable recipients being Lagos for the South-West, Delta for the South-South, Abia for the South-East, Jigawa for the North-West, and the Federal Capital Territory for the North-Central zone.
All winners received plaques and cheques during a vibrant ceremony that extended into the early hours of Friday.
The gala event was organized to promote the federal government’s Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, which aims to revitalize primary healthcare across Nigeria. Launched in 2022 in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the challenge assesses state performance using a rigorous framework that evaluates governance, financing, quality service delivery, use of evidence, sustainability, and health outcomes.
Vice President Kashim Shettima in his address emphasised the administration’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Shettima, represented by Special Adviser on General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo praised the awardees as exemplary leaders who have embraced challenges to enhance health outcomes.
The awards serve not only as recognition of outstanding performance but also as an incentive for governors to prioritize primary healthcare. The event coincided with World Universal Health Coverage Day, reinforcing the message that health is a right for all citizens.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noted that this year’s challenge reflects a growing commitment among Nigerian states to enhance their healthcare systems.