Lluvia Health Organisation Inaugurates Board, Laments Failure of PHC System in Nigeria

Sunday Okobi

The foremost health agency in Nigeria, Lluvia Health Organisation, has described Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare (PHC) system as disheartening, lamenting that the system still faces the same challenges that have plagued it over the years such as inadequate infrastructure, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, limited access to essential medicines, and poor data management.

The organisation, whose mission is to enable children and adolescents to lead healthier, happier lives by providing nutrition, life skills, and play and arts in hospitals, decried the situation as pathetic during the inaugural board meeting, where Dr. Kabiru Atta, Country Representative, Engender Health, was appointed as its chairman.

The Executive Director/Founder Lluvia Health Organisation, Dr. Amenze Eguavoen, who exclusively disclosed this to THISDAY, stated that the appointment of Atta reflected his significant contributions to public health in Nigeria and his contributions to the mission and vision of Lluvia Health, adding: “It is expected that under his guidance, Lluvia Health will successfully accomplish its mission.”

According to Eguavoen, “It is disheartening to see that Nigeria’s primary healthcare system still faces the same challenges that have plagued it over the years such as inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, limited access to essential medicines, and poor data management.

“These issues collectively hinder the delivery of basic healthcare services, including immunisations, antenatal care, nutrition services, and treatment of common childhood illnesses.”

She noted that at Lluvia Health Organisation, “we recognise that a strong and well-functioning primary health system is crucial for child health and development which is why it’s so disheartening to see the system fail the most vulnerable members of our society, the children and women.

“We remain committed to being part of the solution to improving access to primary healthcare services by partnering the government and other institutions to support national nutrition, child, and adolescent health policies and strategies. We would do this through our projects on nutrition, life skill development, and play and arts in hospitals for emotional and mental.”

At the event, which took place in Lagos recently, other members of the board appointed included Dr. Chieze Ibeneche-Nnewihe, Ms. Emily Crawford, Dr. Folajimi Ashiru, Mrs. Osarugue Awani, and Dr. Yemi Osinaike. Mrs. Idor Izibili was appointed the company secretary.

In addition, the board appointed Dr. Chieze Ibeneche-Nnewihe as the chairman of the finance, fundraising, and communication committee, and Ms Emily Crawford as the chairman of programmes and grants committee.

During the inaugural board meeting, key discussions were centered on the organisation’s core values, strategic objectives, and projects to be launched. The board discussed various approaches and partnerships to ensure the effective implementation of Lluvia Health Organisation’s programmes.

The Chairman of the board, Dr. Kabiru Atta, expressed enthusiasm and optimism for Lluvia Health’s future saying: “I am extremely proud to chair the board of Lluvia Health Organisation. As a medical doctor and public health practitioner, I have been an ardent supporter of the organisation’s mission, particularly towards improving the nutritional status of children and providing access to play and arts in hospitals.

“The social determinants of health continue to affect health outcomes of Nigerians and the period of childhood and adolescence is crucial to the optimal development of individuals. Lluvia Health, through its activities, will help contribute to the achievement of the country’s strategic plan For Food and Nutrition as well as the implementation of policies on child and adolescent health.”

He added: “We also hope to be instrumental in creating a conducive policy environment for the integration of play and arts in medicine for the emotional and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents. The inaugural board meeting marked an important milestone in our journey to create a better future for the children and adolescents of Nigeria. We are fully committed to making a lasting impact in their lives and building a society where they can thrive.”

The organisation’s board members and team pledged their dedication to transforming their mission and vision into practical and impactful initiatives. As part of the next steps, Lluvia Health said it would be working to forge partnerships, launch pilot programmes, and mobilise resources that will help realise its objectives.