The Kwara State Government has joined forces with the Global Fund, through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to revamp five Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the state under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) grant.
The partnership targets stronger primary health care delivery and improved access to quality services at the grassroots, particularly in underserved communities.
A statement on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bukola Abdulganiyu, said the agency’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this while receiving a UNICEF delegation in Ilorin.
Elelu said the intervention aligns with ongoing state health reforms aimed at repositioning PHCs as the backbone of a resilient health system.
“Primary Health Care centres serve as the first point of contact in Nigeria’s health system, particularly for rural and hard-to-reach communities,” she said.
She explained that the project would include renovation of main PHC buildings, installation of solar power systems, construction of boreholes to ensure potable water supply, and provision of essential medical equipment based on UNICEF-led gap analysis.
“The project would be implemented smoothly and within the stipulated timeline,” Elelu said.
She added that the agency would ensure prompt handover of facilities to contractors, provide security, guarantee access to project sites and closely monitor the quality and pace of work.
She also stressed that community engagement would be prioritised to prevent service disruption during implementation.
“A focal officer would be appointed to coordinate with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF and the contractors,” she said.
“I want to reiterate the state government’s commitment to working with development partners and express appreciation to the Global Fund and UNICEF for their continued collaboration in improving health outcomes in Kwara State.”
Earlier, UNICEF representative, Mr Gamaliel Ismaila Dargam, said Kwara remained a priority beneficiary under the C19RM intervention, with five facilities already approved.
He commended the state government’s commitment to expanding access to quality health care and assured that UNICEF would fully deliver on its responsibilities.
The approved facilities are the Mobile Health Clinic, Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area; Basic Health Care Centre, Kulende, Ilorin South; Primary Health Care Centre, Ojagboro, Ilorin East; Primary Health Care Centre, Ilofa, Oke Ero; and the Model Primary Health Care Centre, Kpada, Patigi Local Government Area.
