The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday launched a five-year health support programme for four states and the Federal Capital Territory, The Africanscholar can now report.
USAID health office director, Paul McDermott, and key government health sector officials participated in the launch of the new USAID funded activity, valued at $19 million, and intended to improve the quality of health-worker training in Nigeria.
It is part of USAID’s integrated package of activities valued at $793 million that is focused on integrating health service delivery at the primary level, creating demand for health services, and strengthening supply chain management at the sub-national level.
The health workforce management activity will support the establishment of a cost-effective, well-trained, and motivated health workforce in targeted rural and remote areas of Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Ebonyi States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
Banyan Global, in collaboration with Abt Associates, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Solina Health, will jointly implement the programme.
“We are investing in the health workforce because strong and capable human resources for health improve health outcomes and save lives,” McDermott said at the virtual ceremony, adding that “the activity will support efforts to address the persistent healthcare worker challenges in Nigeria.”
The aim is to strengthen human resources, improve governance of the health workforce, and develop interventions to improve health worker retention. Over the next five years, the activity is expected to produce a cadre of 100,000 new health workers competent to respond to current and future health needs of the populations in the targeted states.
Also, the health workforce management will train primary health care workers to anchor a more proficient workforce to respond to health needs, improve the distribution and skill mix of front-line workers, as well as strengthen training institutions to adopt and apply more effective approaches to human resources.
“This initiative could not have come at a better time,” said Dr. Usman Adamu, director of primary health care services development at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in Abuja.
According to him, “it will be most beneficial to address maldistribution of health workers by producing the appropriate skill mix of frontline health workers at the primary care level. We look forward to positive change and assure USAID of our collaboration and support all the way.”
USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance. The agency also supports transparent and accountable governance, promotes a more market-led economy, and enhances Nigeria’s capacity as a responsible regional and trade partner of the United States.
