Kwara partners Global Fund, UNICEF to revitalize five PHC centres
By Muyideen Aliyu, llorin
Kwara State Government has partnered with the Global Fund, through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to revitalize five Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the state under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Grant.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, while receiving the representative of UNICEF in her office, noting that the intervention aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary health care delivery and improve access to quality health services at the grassroots.
Elelu explained that the PHC revitalization project will focus on the renovation of the 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 UNICEF-led gap analysis.
The Executive Secretary assured that the project would be implemented smoothly and timely, adding that the KWSPHCDA would facilitate the prompt handover of facilities to contractors, ensure uninterrupted access to project sites and adequate security, monitor the progress of revitalization works to guarantee quality and timely delivery as well as support community engagement and awareness to enable seamless execution.
She revealed that a focal officer would be assigned to coordinate closely with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF and the Contractors, reassuring that necessary arrangements would be made to prevent disruption of services during the implementation period.
She reiterated the state government’s commitment to working closely with all partners and expressed deep appreciation to the Global Fund and UNICEF for their continued collaboration and shared commitment to strengthening primary health care systems and improving health outcomes for the people of the state.
Earlier, the UNICEF representative, Mr. Gamaliel Ismaila Dargam, explained that the State remains a priority beneficiary of the intervention, stating that five facilities are scheduled for implementation in the state.
He commended the state government for its commitment to ensuring access to quality health care for all residents, promising that UNICEF would fully deliver on its responsibilities under the partnership.
The approved facilities include the Mobile Health Clinic, Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area; Basic Health Care Centre, Kulende in Ilorin South Local Government Area; Primary Health Care Centre, Ojagboro in Ilorin East Local Government Area; Primary Health Care Centre, Ilofa in Oke Ero Local Government Area; and Model Primary Health Care Centre, Kpada in Patigi Local Government Area.