𝐒𝐒𝐃𝐂, 𝐍𝐏𝐇𝐂𝐃𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇-𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) Tuesday, announced plans to collaborate with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to rapidly improve healthcare outcomes across the region.

The partnership was sealed during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director of the Commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, to the Chief Executive Officer of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, in Abuja.

The meeting, described by Akpabio as “deeply impactful,” resulted in mutual plans to create strategic synergies aimed at accelerating immunization coverage, advancing malaria-free interventions, and revitalizing community health centres. The SSDC is positioning itself as the official implementation hub for NPHCDA collaborations in the South-South region.

“This partnership sets the stage for stronger, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare delivery for our people. By aligning the SSDC’s regional mandate with the NPHCDA’s national blueprint, we can eliminate duplication, optimize resources, and deliver visible, impactful results to our communities with a sense of urgency”, Akpabio stressed.

Akpabio noted that the partnership is designed to ensure that national health strategies are seamlessly adapted and executed at the regional level, setting the stage for stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable healthcare delivery for the people.

“The collaboration will immediately pursue several key initiatives as part of its quick-wins agenda. To accelerate immunization coverage, the two bodies will launch joint actions to drastically improve vaccine uptake in underserved communities, backed by technical support for cold-chain equipment, data systems, and health worker training, with pilot programs in selected states to serve as a showcase.

“In support of the national “Malaria-Free Nigeria” agenda, the SSDC will serve as the regional implementation hub, exploring co-branded campaigns and the widespread supply of insecticide-treated nets.” She added.

In his remarks, Dr. Aina pledged close working relationship with the SSDC especially in training frontline health workers in rural and riverine communities and made commitments to partner by supporting member states in hiring and deploying Skilled Birth Attendants and Community Health workers, directly targeting the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality.

Office of the MD/CEO, South-South Development Commission