The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to the three tiers of government to sustain efforts to revitalise the primary healthcare system in the country.

Benjamin Olowojebutu, the chairman, NMA Lagos zone, appealed in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

Mr Olowojebutu said although progress had been made, gaps in health coverage persist for those in the lowest income levels, marginalised population and those in hard-to-reach areas.

He said for the quality of life to improve, the healthcare system must move to incorporate people’s needs and preferences into their service delivery, especially in communities.

“What has happened in Nigeria in the last few years is that we have changed the focus of healthcare to specialised care, left the PHCs to disrupt operations at tertiary hospitals.

“We must domesticate PHCs as a vital tool in community participation and also have a robust referral system that ensures PHCs do their own job, the secondary and tertiary hospitals do theirs too.

“We know that as a nation if the health indices decline, productivity, quality of lives and life expectancy would be impacted negatively,” he said.

Mr Olowojebutu also said ensuring access to primary healthcare would spur fast attainment of universal health coverage.

According to him, adequate financing of the centres will ensure quality service delivery since the current PHC system does not adequately meet the needs of the vast population.

He advised citizens to intensify engagement with prospective leaders on plans and policies to enhance the health sector as electioneering continues nationwide.

(NAN)