NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
In its quest to make healthcare delivery at the community level accessible, the Nasarawa State government has embarked on revitalising its health centers across the 148 electoral wards in the State.
Implemented through its State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the ambitious project which will see 58 centres completed in June, will make patients’ access to twenty-four hours daily, possible. The plans for the healthcare system were made known by Dr. Usman Iskilus Saleh, Executive Secretary of the Agency, when he received members of the Correspondents Chapel, an arm of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in his office on Wednesday.
Top on the efforts to provide essential healthcare at the grassroots level, he said, is the provision human resource, facilities like buildings as well as equipment to enable personnel to function effectively in catering to the health needs of the people at the local level. The project which is done in collaboration with the World bank and other partners when completed, Dr. Saleh said, will usher-in new chapter in healthcare delivery. He said aside the 58 projects billed to be completed in June, more are expected to be revitalized by this year and thereafter.
“We have 147 wards in Nasarawa State. So, it is expected that we have one basic healthcare provision facility per ward. That is, 147. So, the Nigerian government is expected to by the end of this year 2025, ensure that all these facilities are functional and revitalized. So, far, through The World Bank, State funding and other sources, we have 58 facilities in Nasarawa State already commenced revitalization and it is expected to be completed by June this year. So, by June this June, we will have 58 revitalized healthcare facilities. We have other facilities like the Global Fund that will take care of other facilities, eight, constituency projects and the State government is preparing for nine and then three basic healthcare provision facilities. When you add, I think it is 76 facilities to be taken care of,” he told the reporters.
He explained that “Revitalization simply means the facility would work for 24-hours. There is no time that that facility would be off, it works continuously. Some of the primary healthcare centres are not working for 24-hours. But the Federal Government says, ‘okay, that is where we are getting some challenges’. Something that could be taken care of at the health centre, at the end of the day, it is taken to the general hospital or teaching hospital. We have the referral system in healthcare system,” he said expressing optimism that both rural and urban dwellers in Nasarawa State will have equal opportunities to access health facilities at all times.
While appreciating the journalists for the visit, he tasked them to be partakers in ensuring that the Agency succeeds in it mandate. “Healthcare delivery is teamwork. And you are also leaders. You are part of the leadership and part of the decision-making of this Agency. Why do I say so? Health issues are teamwork, kind of. Only one party can never make it work, except as a team, especially the media. Please let’s work together, lets work tother as friends. Even as friends, tell us the truth and nothing but the truth,” he said, imploring the reporters to take ownership of the agency.
Earlier in an address, Isaac Ukpoju, Chairman of the Chapel congratulated the ES and thanked Governor Sule for finding him worthy of appointment into such a sensitive position. He noted that his trajectory as a public servant and physician is clear, hence, he will succeed in the new assignment. Ukpoju called for partnership between the Agency and the media, to ensure that the people of Nasarawa State are properly informed of their activities.