Federal Ministry of Health Implements Massive Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria

Friday, May 28, 2021

28 May 2021 | Abuja – Federal Ministry of Health Implements Massive Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria

As part of the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Health through its agencies, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is implementing a massive distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers in primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across Nigeria. This is supported by health sector partners Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF.

In Nigeria, PHCs are critical as they often serve as the first point of contact for suspected cases of COVID-19. Health workers in PHCs continue to play an important role in the response by supporting the detection of cases, educating members of the community about the risks of the virus as well as other health and social services.

The Federal Government of Nigeria and its partners recognise the need for ensuring continuity of health services, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of the risks health workers face in providing care to patients, these PPE are being provided to ensure that they are properly protected in the line of duty.

As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, the Federal Ministry of Health continues to prioritise infection prevention and control (IPC) of healthcare workers through training, provision of information materials and protective equipment. The PPE provided to health workers in PHCs are to ensure that they have the required resources to protect themselves and their patients from the risk of spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. 

The items being distributed include thousands of goggles, masks, gloves, gowns, boots, waste bins, hand sanitizers, chlorine, and other commodities. These will be distributed to selected PHCs across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

The Federal Government of Nigeria remains grateful to its partners, especially Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF for the collaboration in ensuring the protection of health workers.

The Federal Ministry of Health through its agencies remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of all Nigerians. As the NPHCDA continues to scale up Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage, health workers are reminded of the need to practice universal care precautions at all times. Additionally, we urge members of the public to adhere to COVID-19 measures including wearing of face masks properly – covering nose and mouth, regular handwashing, avoiding large crowds, practicing physical distancing of at least two (2) metres and getting vaccinated, if eligible.

About NPHCDA

The NPHCDA, was established in 1992, and merged with the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) in 2007. It is the domestic development agency for Primary health care in Nigeria. Between 1986 and 1992, remarkable and innovative progress was made in the development of Primary Health Care, focusing on the Local Government Areas (LGAs), resulting in Nigeria being placed in the front rank of countries in the world that have advanced the process of equitably improving the health and quality of life of its people through primary healthcare. Visit https://nphcda.gov.ng/

About NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is the country’s national public health institute, with the mandate to lead the preparedness, detection and response to public health emergencies. The Bill for an Act to establish NCDC was signed into law in November 2018, by President Muhammadu Buhari. The mission for the NCDC is ‘To protect the health of Nigerians through evidence-based prevention, integrated disease surveillance and response, using a One Health approach, guided by research and led by skilled workforce’. Visit https://ncdc.gov.ng/

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children. Visit www.unicef.org.

Signed: Signed:

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu Dr. Faisal Shuaib

Director General Executive Director

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control National Primary Health Care Development Agency

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