NIGER ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ENGAGES PHC DIRECTORS AS STATEWIDE OVERSIGHT CONTINUES ACROSS 25 LGAs

The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Nutrition and Primary Healthcare has engaged Directors of Primary Healthcare (DPHCs) as part of its ongoing legislative oversight of primary healthcare delivery across the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.

This is contained in a statement signed by Head, Information and Public Relations Department Ruqayyah M. Tanko.

It said the engagement, which brought together Directors from Kontagora, Mashegu, Mariga, Magama and Agwara Local Government Areas, was aimed at assessing the operations of primary healthcare facilities, identifying challenges affecting service delivery and exploring practical measures to strengthen healthcare services at the grassroots.

The Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Umar Nasir Paiko, led the engagement.

Addressing the Directors, Hon. Paiko explained that the exercise was not intended to witch-hunt or intimidate any officer, but rather to provide an opportunity for the Committee to interact directly with those responsible for managing primary healthcare facilities and to understand the challenges confronting them.

“This visit is not to witch-hunt anybody. We are here to interact with you, listen to your challenges and understand the difficulties you are facing so that, where possible, we can work together to proffer solutions.”

The Committee Chairman urged the Directors to take full responsibility for the primary healthcare facilities under their supervision and remain actively involved in matters relating to their management and service delivery.

He also stressed the importance of respecting established administrative structures and the chain of command, noting that every officer has clearly defined responsibilities within the system.

“There is always a hierarchy which must be respected and followed. You must know who you are responsible to and ensure that all necessary engagements are properly communicated through the appropriate channels,” he added.

Hon. Paiko further advised the Directors to strengthen their collaboration with Ward Development Committees (WDCs), stressing that effective community participation remains essential to the success of primary healthcare delivery.

He noted that healthcare managers should not operate in isolation, but should regularly engage WDCs and other relevant stakeholders within their communities to better identify and address local healthcare needs.

The Chairman also emphasised the need for proper documentation and accountability in the management of primary healthcare facilities. He urged the Directors to maintain accurate records of activities and expenditures and ensure that receipts and other relevant supporting documents were obtained and properly kept as evidence of transactions.

Hon. Paiko commended the Director of Primary Healthcare, Mashegu Local Government Area, Dr. Kolo Mohammed, for his dedication and commitment to duty, urging other Directors to emulate such commitment and sustain the tempo.

He stressed that effective leadership and proper management at the primary healthcare level are critical to improving access to healthcare services, particularly for residents in rural communities.

Responding on behalf of the other Directors, Dr. Kolo Mohammed of Mashegu Local Government Area appreciated the Committee for the engagement and the opportunity to interact directly with the lawmakers.

He assured the Committee that the observations and issues raised during the engagement would be carefully considered and that necessary corrective measures would be taken where required.

The engagement forms part of the Committee’s ongoing legislative oversight across the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, aimed at monitoring the performance of primary healthcare institutions, promoting accountability and effective management, identifying challenges affecting service delivery, and supporting efforts to improve access to quality primary healthcare services across the State.