The Oyo State Government has announced plans to upgrade 66 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), across the state with at least two facilities in each of the 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) set for revitalisation.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this while addressing a critical stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, emphasising that the revitalisation of PHCs is a fundamental step in improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Ajetunmobi reiterated that the initiative will ensure the provision of essential amenities needed for effective primary healthcare services.
She stated, “Primary Healthcare Centers serve as the first point of contact for medical care, making their efficiency crucial to the overall healthcare system. The government cannot do it alone; community involvement is key to sustaining these facilities. We urge stakeholders to take ownership and support this initiative for long-term success.”
Speaking at the event, the consultant and Managing Director of First Health Dynamic Synergy International Limited, Professor Temitope Alonge, explained that three key criteria were used in selecting the PHCs for upgrade in each LGA.
He said, “The first criteria is the patient load. The two PHCs serving the largest population in each LGA were prioritised. The second criteria is category 2 or 3 PHCs, while the third criteria is for facilities with an existing borehole and an alternative power source.”
Alonge noted that the project will involve both infrastructural improvements and provision of medical equipment, such as installation of a 10KVA solar inverter system and boreholes to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply, while the medical equipment supply of essential medical devices will include autoclave machines with gas cylinders, among others.
He revealed that the upgrade will also include the implementation of a Drug Revolving Fund to ensure a steady supply of essential medicines, and the security enhancement of the facilities, urging Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and PHC coordinators to take responsibility for the facilities which he said belong to the communities rather than the Primary Healthcare Board.
Professor Alonge emphasised that a shift In mindset towards ownership and accountability would be crucial in maintaining the improved centers, disclosing that the same healthcare center upgrade stakeholders meeting would be replicated in other zones across the state for the WDC chairmen and PHC coordinators.
He explained that the meeting will focus on sustainable drug revolving funds, security of the primary healthcare centers, funding of primary healthcare services, infection control, health and safety in the PHCS, Nursing process and Nursing presence in the PHCS.
Others are documentation and health records, electronic medical record system, Point of Care Testing (POCT) for Malaria, Hepatitis, HIV/Syphilis, typhoid, etc., handling haemoglobinometers and Glucometers, medication dispensing and autoclaving and sterilisation techniques.
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