INTRODUCTION

Primary Heath Care was adopted as a model for building health systems for addressing gross inequity and inequality that existed in health development and health outcomes.

However, despite the prospect of PHC, Nigeria and many developing countries have continued to suffer the greatest burden of diseases and sub-optimal health outcomes.

Though persistent challenges remain, the global community still believes that primary health care approach is more relevant today than ever.

Consequently, Nigeria will have to align with the global momentum towards the renewal of primary health care, as a vital and indispensable approach to addressing common causes of morbidity and mortality.

The alignment will require that PHC policy makers and managers have good knowledge and clear understanding of the core values, the PHC development framework, the PHC leadership and governance framework, the current situation and persisting challenges and the strategic and policy options.

The country has witnessed persistent failure of high profile PHC intervention programmes such as the PHC Infrastructural Expansion, the Midwives Service Scheme and the SURE P-MCH programmes, and a clear understanding of the sustainability challenges is required to ensure success of future initiatives.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

On completion of this module, participants will:

• Enrich their understanding of the basic concepts, principles and core values in primary health care approach, describe the PHC development framework and how it determines the shape, direction and outcome of the PHC processes.
• Describe the leadership and governance arrangements/structures in PHC in Nigeria, understand their functions and the limitations.
• Understand the current situation and realities in PHC in Nigeria, the difficulties and challenges.
• Explain the meaning and importance of sustainability in PHC intervention programmes, describe some PHC intervention programmes in Nigeria and the sustainability challenges
• Understand the various policy and strategic options for effective PHC system

COURSE MODULES

• Module 1: Understanding the Core Values & PHC Development Framework
• Module 2: PHC Leadership and Governance
• Module 3: Primary Health Care in Nigeria: Current Situation and Persisting Challenges
• Module 4: Sustainability Challenges in PHC Intervention Programmes
• Module 5: Policy and Strategic Options for Improving PHC Performance