By Thompson Yamput
Gov Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Friday inaugurated 80 revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state provide quality healthcare services to residents.
The governor, while speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at Government House, Lokoja, described the event as crucial and historic.
Ododo said that the inaugurated centres were the first phase of the PHCs modernisation project, which began in April, 2024.
He said the primary healthcare centre at Old Market, Lokoja, the flag- off point, signalled the beginning of a state-wide exercise, aimed at transforming primary healthcare facilities into functional and modern health centres
“We believe these revitalised PHCs will adequately serve the people in all parts of the state
“This is because my administration remains committed to ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to efficient and affordable healthcare services, especially at the grassroots.
“Our people deserve a healthcare system that works. I believe these revitalised PHCs will bring medical services closer to communities and reduce the burden on secondary health facilities,” he said.
According to him, the exercise was not just about renovating buildings, but about restoring confidence in public health facilities through the provision of modern facilities, qualified personnel, and adequate drugs.
Ododo said it was also to advance the state government’s agenda of affordable and effective health services.
The governor added that the effort was part of a broader agenda to strengthen primary healthcare delivery as the foundation of a functional health system.
He added: “We are not just opening facilities; we are building healthier communities.”
Ododo thanked President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership in the health sector and for creating the enabling environment for states to strengthen their healthcare systems through renewed investments and collaborative frameworks.
He described the president’s focus on primary healthcare and human capital development as a strong motivation for his administration’s ongoing reforms in Kogi .
In his remarks, the Executive Director,National Primary Healthcare Development Agency(NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, lauded Ododo’s efforts in ensuring quality healthcare service delivery to the people of Kogi.
Aina assured the state government of NPHCDA’s continued support in line with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to better the lives of Nigerians.
Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, Commissioner for Health, expressed gratitude to World Bank, NPHCDA and other partners for their complementary roles and support in improving health care delivery in the state.
Abdulazeez, who assured of quality healthcare service delivery at the PHCs, urged the health workers to make the best use of the medical equipment and facilities in their various facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the 80 PHCs inaugurated include those in Idah, Igalamela, Kabba, Lokoja, Mopamuro, Okene, Ogori-Magongo, Ijumu, Yagba East, and Adavi areas of the state. NAN
