Peter Obi flags 97% PHC understaffing, warns of risk to Nigerians
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, raised alarm on Monday that 97% of Primary Healthcare Centres assessed across 16 states failed to meet national staffing standards, warning that the shortfall could reflect a broader crisis affecting up to 80% of PHCs nationwide. He said the understaffing leaves pregnant women without timely care and exposes children to preventable illnesses that could turn fatal. Obi stressed that health is the foundation of national development and criticised the government's focus on large infrastructure projects while basic healthcare workers remain scarce. He urged authorities to prioritise investment in the health sector, recruit and retain qualified health workers, and guarantee affordable, quality care for all Nigerians regardless of wealth or location. The statement, posted on X, comes as Nigeria grapples with persistent gaps in primary care access despite various reform promises. Will the proposed boost in funding and recruitment translate into functional PHCs on the ground, or will systemic bottlenecks keep vital services out of reach for the most vulnerable?