By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Federal Government on Wednesday said it vaccinated 4.95 million girls aged nine to 14, representing 80 percent of eligible girls in 15 states in four months.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate stated this at the ministerial press briefing to showcase the strides made by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the health sector.

Pate revealed that the second phase of the vaccination exercise is scheduled for May covering Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Yobe, Plateau and Zamfara States.

He added that pre-implementation activities have already commenced.

According to Pate, “Since assuming office, we have prioritized the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across the nation, ensuring they are adequately equipped and staffed to provide essential services to communities.

“Through sustained investment and strategic partnerships, we have expanded access to vital healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of preventable diseases.

“As a result of our efforts, we have recorded an increase in the proportion of women who attend ANC.

“Over 550,000 women now attend their first ANC and are armed with the right information and care to improve their pregnancy outcomes and reduce maternal and child mortality.

“The achievements we have recorded signal progress and improvements. To sustain and continue to build on these gains, in the last six months, the Government of Nigeria recruited 2,497 Doctors, Midwives/Nurses, and CHEWs to bridge the gaps due to attrition.

“An additional 1,400 health facilities now have Skilled Birth Attendants to assist in deliveries at the health facilities. This has increased the number of health facility deliveries to as high as 230,000 deliveries per month.

“I am delighted to announce that the Federal Government will be releasing N50 billion as the first tranche of the Basic Healthcare Fund, a significant increase from N25 billion allocated in 2022.

“This infusion of funds will breathe new life into our primary healthcare facilities, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all citizens.

“By supporting enrollment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes, we have extended coverage to millions of Nigerians, safeguarding them against the financial hardships associated with healthcare expenses.

“Since the beginning of this administration, we have enrolled about 750,000 more Nigerians in health insurance.

”We remain committed to providing access to quality health for all Nigerians through the Vulnerable Group Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)

“Through robust vaccination campaigns and outreach programs, we have achieved significant strides in sustaining immunization coverage nationwide, safeguarding our communities, particularly our children, from devastating diseases.

“Since the inception of diphtheria response, over 5 million children have been immunized with the Penta vaccine and 10 million children with Td vaccines,” the minister explained.

He said, “To strengthen our response to Lassa fever outbreaks, the Federal Government has embarked on the distribution of essential response commodities to states and treatment centers across the nation especially in affected states.

“These include Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Ribavirin (injection and tablets), body bags, thermometers, hypochlorite hand sanitizers, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.

“I am delighted to announce the successful coverage of HPV vaccination. Since the launch of the HPV vaccine in October 2023 across 15 states plus the FCT.

“We have successfully vaccinated more than 4,95million eligible girls aged 9-14 years representing 80% of eligible girls.

“The Phase 2 introduction is scheduled for May 2024 in Anambra, Borno, Cross-river, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Yobe, Plateau and Zamfara.”

He said there has been improvement in patient attendance at federal tertiary hospitals, a testament to the improved quality of care and confidence in our healthcare system.

Pate announced, “Twelve tertiary hospitals/centers have been earmarked for infrastructure development, including the establishment of oncology centers, radiology centers, and diagnostics facilities.”

Earlier the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during his welcome address said the briefing was initiated to provide a platform for public officials to reel out their achievements and equally apprise Nigerians of the challenges of governance.

He said, under Tinubu, Nigeria has recorded GDP growth of 3.46 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 as against 2.54 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2022.

“Capital importation rose to 66 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36 percent decline in the third quarter.

“Petrol importation has been reduced by 50 percent since the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever, mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the president, which inspired investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.

“It is also encouraging to state that oil production has rose from 1.22 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2023 to 1.55 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2023,” Idris stated.