Nigeria, May 21 -- Nigerian teaching hospitals will not function optimally until adequate attention is given to primary and secondary healthcare facilities, Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, has said.

The minister said the challenges facing the teaching hospitals and other tertiary health institutions flow from the inability of the primary and secondary healthcare facilities to meet people's needs.

Mr Adewole spoke while appearing before the Senate plenary on Tuesday.

The senators, last week, invited the minister to appear before them over the poor condition of teaching hospitals across the country.

Speaking to the senators on Tuesday, Mr Adewole emphasised the importance of a functioning primary and secondary health care system.

"The ...