Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria, marking a significant stride in the Federal Government’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday during the commissioning of the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s healthcare challenges through strategic investments and public-private partnerships. However, he noted that the responsibility of developing this sector cannot rest solely on the government.
“The government alone cannot shoulder this burden,” Shettima remarked, stressing the crucial role of the private sector in supporting Nigeria’s health sector reform agenda.
He described the newly inaugurated trauma centre as a critical addition to Nigeria’s emergency medical infrastructure, symbolising the Federal Government’s unwavering dedication to preserving lives.
Shettima revealed that the Tinubu had sanctioned a “comprehensive Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” which includes the establishment of over 8,800 PHCs nationwide and the upgrading of existing tertiary institutions to manage trauma, oncology, and infectious disease control.
“In a nation facing increasing urbanisation, motorisation, and industrial risks, trauma care is no longer optional—it is essential,” he stated, hailing the new trauma centre as “a lifeline and a symbol of preparedness in a nation that cares.”
The Vice President praised the trauma centre as a “model of private sector contribution to public health,” commending the philanthropic efforts of the Adegunwa family.
“This centre is more than a birthday gift; it is a gift to humanity. It is a lifeline—a sanctuary where the wounded can find healing, and where families in despair can find hope,” he said.
Shettima further explained that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader health sector reforms, which include investments in a National Health Insurance Scheme that ensures inclusivity, and a Digital Health Information Management System that leverages data to enhance medical diagnosis and service delivery.
He called on other philanthropists and corporate bodies to “rise beyond personal achievement and invest in nation-building,” underlining the importance of collective responsibility in improving Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the Board of Management at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, stated that the new trauma centre would provide emergency care and effectively manage trauma-related cases, significantly improving the hospital’s service delivery capacity.
He assured that the hospital would ensure the efficient use and maintenance of the facility, guaranteeing its long-term sustainability and relevance.
Dr Hassan expressed deep appreciation to Chief Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, his foundation, and his family for their generous donation, describing it as a remarkable and impactful contribution to the public.
The broader initiative also includes the upgrading of tertiary healthcare institutions to enhance their ability to manage critical medical cases, particularly in the areas of trauma, oncology, and infectious diseases.
