The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over three renovated Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities to the Katsina State Government to strengthen access to quality healthcare services in the state.
The handover ceremony was held at the renovated Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC), Bakiyawa, in Batagarawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The other two facilities are Sabon Gari Primary Health Centre in Daura Local Government Area and Dandutse Primary Health Centre in Funtua Local Government Area.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNICEF Health Manager, Kano Field Office, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum, said the renovation projects were implemented with support from the Global Fund, with UNICEF serving as the implementing partner.
Seyoum said the upgraded facilities would improve access to essential health services, provide better working conditions for health workers and contribute to improved health outcomes for women, children and other vulnerable groups.
He said the handover transferred responsibility for the management, utilisation and maintenance of the facilities to the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA).
The UNICEF official urged the state government to ensure adequate staffing, provision of essential medical supplies and regular maintenance of the facilities to enable the benefiting communities to maximise the investment.
Receiving the facilities on behalf of the Katsina State Government, the Acting Executive Secretary of KSPHCA, Dr Shema’u Kabir Abba, described the handover as a moment of joy for the agency and the benefiting communities.
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She said the Bakiyawa facility was one of three health centres renovated by UNICEF and formally handed over to the state on the same day, adding that the agency had earlier received the renovated facility in Daura before proceeding to Bakiyawa for the ceremony.
Dr Shema’u expressed appreciation to UNICEF, the Global Fund and other stakeholders for their support towards the successful completion of the projects.
She also acknowledged the Nigerian government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), for its efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve access to essential health services nationwide.
According to her, collaboration among the federal government, state government, development partners and local communities is critical to sustaining investments in primary healthcare and ensuring that services reach vulnerable populations.
She called on the Batagarawa Local Government Council to ensure that the Bakiyawa facility was adequately equipped and staffed to provide effective healthcare services to residents.
The Acting Executive Secretary also urged members of the benefiting communities to take ownership of the facilities by ensuring their proper management, security and sustainability.
She stressed that community ownership was essential to protecting the investments and ensuring that the facilities continued to serve children and other residents for generations to come.
Dr Shema’u reaffirmed KSPHCA’s commitment to providing the necessary support to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen primary healthcare facilities across Katsina State.
The handover of the three renovated facilities is expected to enhance the delivery of essential healthcare services to communities in Batagarawa, Daura and Funtua Local Government Areas.
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