The Kwara State Government has partnered with the Global Fund, through the United Nations Children’s Fund, to revitalise five Primary Health Care facilities across the state under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism Grant.
The partnership is aimed at strengthening primary health care delivery and improving access to quality health services at the grassroots, especially in underserved communities.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bukola Abdulganiyu, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this while receiving a delegation from UNICEF in her office.
Elelu said the intervention aligns with the state government’s ongoing reforms in the health sector, particularly efforts to reposition PHCs as the foundation of an effective and resilient health system.
“Primary Health Care centres serve as the first point of contact in Nigeria’s health system, particularly for rural and hard-to-reach communities.
“The revitalisation project will involve the renovation of main PHC buildings, installation of solar power systems, construction of boreholes to ensure potable water supply, and the provision of essential medical equipment in line with approved specifications and a UNICEF-led gap analysis.
“The project would be implemented smoothly and within the stipulated timeline, adding that the agency would facilitate the prompt handover of facilities to contractors, ensure uninterrupted access to project sites, provide adequate security and closely monitor the quality and pace of work,” she said.
The KWSPHCDA boss also said community engagement and awareness would be prioritised to ensure seamless execution of the project.
“A focal officer would be appointed to coordinate with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF and the contractors, noting that measures would be put in place to prevent disruption of health services during the implementation period.
“I want to reiterate the state government’s commitment to working with development partners and express appreciation to the Global Fund and UNICEF for their continued collaboration in improving health outcomes in Kwara State,” she said.
Earlier, the UNICEF representative, Mr Gamaliel Ismaila Dargam, said Kwara remains a priority beneficiary of the C19RM intervention, with five health facilities already approved for implementation in the state.
Dargam commended the state government for its commitment to ensuring access to quality health care for residents, assuring that UNICEF would fully deliver on its responsibilities under the partnership.
The facilities approved for revitalisation are the Mobile Health Clinic, Okuta, in Baruten Local Government Area; Basic Health Care Centre, Kulende, Ilorin South Local Government Area; Primary Health Care Centre, Ojagboro, Ilorin East Local Government Area; Primary Health Care Centre, Ilofa, Oke Ero Local Government Area; and the Model Primary Health Care Centre, Kpada, Patigi Local Government Area.
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