By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
GOVERNOR Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has commissioned 80 revitalized Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state in the first phase of the PHCs modernization project which began in April, 2024.
Ododo inaugurated the centres on Friday at a ceremony that featured stakeholders engagement meeting, state leadership challenge awards to Local Government Areas and handing over of health equipment and commodities in Lokoja.
The exercise, he said is aimed at transforming primary healthcare facilities into functional and modern health centres that would adequately serve the people in all parts of the state, especially at the grassroots.
“Our people deserve a healthcare system that works. These revitalized PHCs will bring medical services closer to communities and reduce the burden on secondary health facilities”, he said.
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for investing heavily in the revitalization of Primary Healthcare Centres across the country saying that the effort had taken quality healthcare to the doorsteps of citizenry especially in rural communities.
Ododo lamented that in the past, successive government’s neglected and abandoned for decades, important and critical sectors like agriculture, education and health among others.
He noted that President Tinubu had shown concern for the welfare of Nigerians through his Renew Hope Initiative and has invested heavily in the revitalization of primary healthcare centres to take quality healthcare to the door steps of the rural populace.
“In the past rural communities had to rush with their sick ones to towns where they can asses health facilities and in most cases, due to distance the sick persons died before reaching the hospital.
“Today the trend has been reversed as a result of massive investment in primary healthcare centres through the National Primary Health Development Agency. We are very grateful to the president and the agency” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina said the Agency develop PHC services, infrastructure and systems for states, it was the duty of the states and local governments to own and run the facilities.
“At the state level and at the local government level you own the staff but we support you. So, all of the things that we bring is a support supplemental to what you are doing at this level”, he state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza commended Governor Ododo for being able to move the Health sector forward in less than two years in office as he applauded his commitment and investment in the sector.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muazu Musa Omeiza, explained that just few weeks ago, the Governor distributed health equipments to the 88 completed primary healthcare centres in the state.
On the state leadership challenge awards to Local Governments, Ogori-Magongo Local Government clinched the first position in Kogi Central while Ajaokuta LG came second.
In Kogi East, Bassa LG came first followed by Ofu LG while Kogi West was conquered by Mopa-Muro LG trailed by Kogi-KK LG in second position. (Ends)