This is the third in a series of five technical briefs on the theme of governance and systems, that draws on the results and lessons learned from the PRRINN-MNCH programme. This particular brief focuses on bringing primary health care under one roof. The key messages are:
The Nigerian heath service is characterised by poor budgeting, weak governance and limited supply of basic medicines and equipment to clinics. A strong primary health care system is a prerequisite to deliver comprehensive maternal, newborn, child and routine immunisation services.
- Bringing primary health care under one roof will enhance coordination, collaboration, effectiveness and efficiency as well as eliminating constraints, fragmentation, managerial uncertainty and wastage of resources.
- Restructuring health systems is a time-consuming task and understanding complexity theory is key to health systems transformation.
- Reducing fragmentation improves health indices.
