By Rita Iliya

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has inaugurated 20 level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 16 local government areas in the state.

Bago, while inaugurating the primary healthcare centres in Minna, said the 20 centres were part of phase one of a larger project to build 100 PHCs across the state.

He said that the inauguration marked a significant milestone in his administration’s quest to improve healthcare delivery in rural communities.

According to Bago, every individual has a stake in the new agenda, which prioritises access to quality healthcare.

He announced that the old PHCs would be reconstructed and upgraded to Level 2+, and one would be converted into the first Primary Healthcare Training Centre in Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the progress made so far, saying, “within six months, we have been able to complete 20 out of 100 facilities, and the next phase will be delivered within four months.”

The governor announced that the best-performing PHC would be awarded N5 million monthly, aimed at encouraging competition among the centres to maintain facilities and provide quality healthcare services.

He also disclosed that some of the centres would be named after notable individuals, including the late Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Garba, the late Peter Sarki, and his wife, Hajiya Fatima Bago.

In his remarks, Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, described the projects as landmark achievements with exceptional standards.

Also, The Deputy National Coordinator and Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of NG-CARES, Abubakar Musa, said the facilities would be adopted in NG-CARES 2.0.

Also speaking, Mustapha Ndajiwo, Niger Commissioner for Budget and Planning, explained that the project aligned with the New Niger agenda of prioritising access to quality healthcare in communities.

He commended the governor’s commitment to delivering meaningful projects at the community level.

Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger, commended the governor’s vision to provide affordable and qualitative healthcare across the state.

He said the facilities represent hope and would provide essential health services, bridging gaps in the health sector.

Dangana added that the centres would enhance capacity and build the skills of students from various schools of health technologies across the state. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Ukpoju