Terfa Kene, President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), has urged local government chairmen in Kogi State to prioritise community involvement in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Mr Kene made the call on Wednesday in Lokoja at a two-day Local Government Area (LGA) Dialogue themed “The Role of Strategic Leadership in UHC: From Policy to Local Action.”

The dialogue was held as the World Bank-supported IMPACT project winds down in the state.

He described the end of the project as an opportunity for local authorities to take ownership of healthcare delivery and sustain gains recorded under donor-supported interventions.

According to him, the project’s conclusion marks “the beginning of the end for donor-driven inputs but also the beginning of sustainable, homegrown solutions.”

Mr Kene identified community participation, strengthening functional Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and decisive local government action as critical priorities for sustaining healthcare services and advancing Universal Health Coverage.

He introduced the concept of “hybrid communities,” where residents, local fiscal actors, and members of the diaspora contribute resources to support Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

The APHPN president also called for the expansion of health insurance schemes to strengthen financial risk protection and improve access to essential healthcare services.

“Primary healthcare is about prevention and health promotion, not just buildings and equipment.

“WDCs must be strong because every community has resources,” he said.

The Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Folashade Ayoade, who represented Governor Ahmed Ododo, charged local government chairmen to take full ownership of PHCs in their areas.

According to her, universal health coverage cannot be achieved without functional grassroots health facilities supported through strong leadership, accountability, and measurable health outcomes.

She identified ownership, accountability for resources, and a focus on results such as reducing maternal mortality as key pillars for strengthening primary healthcare delivery.

Mr Ododo also urged local government leaders to move beyond passive governance and take proactive steps toward improving healthcare services within their communities.

Kogi Commissioner for Health, Abdulazeez Adeiza, reminded council chairmen that primary healthcare remains their statutory responsibility under the 1999 Constitution and the National Health Act 2014.

“The state will continue supervision via KSPHCDA and BHCPF, but LGs must fund, equip and monitor facilities to sustain gains and UHC,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Musa Muazu, said immunisation coverage expanded and maternal mortality declined under the IMPACT project.

Mr Muazu, however, said that donor support would end in December 2026, making local ownership and sustainable funding essential for continued progress.

“By law, PHC is their duty. Chairmen must prioritise staff, equipment, maintenance and funding to ensure UHC beyond donor support,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of other local government chairmen, the Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Adamu Abdullahi, commended the governor’s efforts in improving healthcare delivery across the state.

He assured stakeholders of the commitment of local government councils to sustaining the gains of the project through stronger ownership and support for primary healthcare services.

A traditional ruler, HRH Ali Bukar, also pledged the support of traditional institutions toward sustaining the project’s objectives and improving healthcare outcomes for communities across the state. 

(NAN)