The Katsina State Government has taken over three renovated and upgraded primary health care centres (PHCs) delivered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to strengthen access to quality healthcare services across the state.

The facilities are the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) Bakiyawa in Batagarawa Local Government Area (LGA), Sabon Gari PHC in Daura LGA and Dandutse PHC in Funtua Local Government.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Thursday in Bakiyawa village, UNICEF health manager for the Kano field office, Serekeberehan Seyoum, said the projects were implemented with support from the Global Fund.

Seyoum explained that UNICEF served as the implementing partner responsible for the renovation and upgrading of the three health facilities, with the intervention aimed at improving access to quality primary healthcare services.

He said completion of the projects would provide better working conditions for health workers and contribute to improved health outcomes, especially among women, children and other vulnerable groups.

“The facilities are now ready to provide quality health services to their respective communities,” he said.

According to the UNICEF health manager, the formal handover placed responsibility for the management, utilisation and maintenance of the upgraded centres with the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

He called on the state government and other relevant authorities to ensure that the facilities have adequate personnel, essential medical supplies and regular maintenance.

Seyoum also urged the authorities to commence quality services promptly and sustain them so that residents in the benefiting communities can obtain maximum value from the investment.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Katsina State Government, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, local government authorities, community stakeholders and the Global Fund to the successful implementation of the projects.

He added that UNICEF remained committed to supporting the Katsina government in strengthening the state’s health system and improving the well-being of its residents.

“We are proud to hand over these upgraded facilities and look forward to seeing them serve as centres of quality health care for communities across Katsina State,” he said.

Earlier, the executive secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shaumau Abba, praised UNICEF and the Global Fund for the intervention.

Abba assured that the agency, working with the respective local government councils, would provide the equipment and personnel required to facilitate effective service delivery at the upgraded centres.

She also pledged that the agency would ensure residents of the benefiting communities make full use of the facilities and receive the benefits of the upgraded health centres.

Also speaking at the event, the chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Council, Yahaya Lawal-Kawo, represented by his vice-chairman, Batagarawa Local Government Council, Yahaya Lawal-Kawo, pledged the council’s commitment to protecting and maintaining the facility.

Source: gazettengr.com