Governor Bello’s Administration to Upgrade One Focal PHC in Each of 274 Wards of Niger State

“The wealth of our nation depends on the health of our people. Today, the life expectancy of average Nigerian is a mere 52years; and invariably so in Niger State. This is unacceptable. Most families lack money for healthcare and too few communities have access to quality health facilities and medical Professionals”- Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

Fodio Ahmed Writes,
The Primary Health Care Centre, PHC, being the first entry point for healthcare seekers and where 70% of Nigerlites access Healthcare services, the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s led administration has finalized plans to Operationalized One Focal, Functional, well Staffed and Equipped, Primary Healthcare Centre, PHC, in each of the 274 wards of the State in order to bring closer, adequate, accessible and affordable healthcare services to Nigerlites from the grass-root level.

Speaking during his assessment and inspection tour of Etsu-Agaie PHC in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State and that of Beji in Bosso Local Government, respectively, the Niger State Commissioner for Health and Health services, Dr. Mustapha Jibril disclosed that, the Governor Bello’s NIGER-HEALTH 1.0 Policy is a holistic healthcare delivery system that will cater for the needs of all citizens from primary to advanced level. He added that, the idea is to have a functional system from where everyone chooses to access healthcare service in Niger State depending on his or her need.

Dr. Mustapha also noted that, for a pilot take off, 6 PHC’s, 2 each from the 3 senatorial districts have already been selected and work has commenced immediately. He added that, the 1 PHC PER WARD project is as a result of Governor Bello’s dire need to address the health burden of Nigerlites by ensuring that, the grass-root level (Rural Communities) especially, are able to access the best possible, affordable and quality-based basic healthcare services from anywhere within the State.

Dr. Mustapha noted that, if completed, the PHC’s are expected to run a 24/7 service delivery catering for ; Maternal Newborn and Child Care, Family Planning, Promotion of proper education on nutrition, food, Immunization, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria as well Essential drugs.

In the same vein, Dr. Mustapha had a stop at the proposed site for the construction of neo-natal and maternity unit at Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida, a project set aside since 2008 but could not be completed. He noted that, when completed, the unit will address health challenges including, post natal, child delivery and pregnancy complications.