Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has launched a series of transformative reforms aimed at revamping the state’s primary healthcare system to ensure the delivery of high-quality and accessible health services.
Speaking at a gathering of stakeholders in Lokoja, the state capital, on Friday, Ododo, represented by his Deputy, Joel Salifu, revealed plans to implement regular spot inspections across all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state. He explained that the initiative, spearheaded by the Primary Healthcare Task Force in partnership with local government authorities and traditional leaders, aims to promote accountability, improve coordination, and enhance the overall standard of services at PHCs.
Reaffirming his administration’s dedication to advancing healthcare, Ododo emphasized the crucial role that PHCs play in lowering maternal and infant mortality rates, improving immunisation coverage, and raising public awareness about the significance of primary healthcare in the broader healthcare system.
“We are committed to overcoming the challenges within the primary healthcare sector to deliver better health outcomes for our people. This will be accomplished through more effective data gathering and the strict application of best practices in case management at all PHCs,” the governor stated.
Ododo also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support in driving healthcare reforms nationwide, acknowledging that this backing has been vital in supporting the state’s initiatives.
Earlier, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, the state’s Commissioner for Health, highlighted the importance of collective efforts among stakeholders to sustain healthcare reforms. He revealed that at least one PHC in each of the 239 wards in the state is currently operational and receiving funding, with plans to expand the number of fully functional PHCs across all wards.
In his address, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ahmed Anaje, praised the Ministry of Health for its ongoing efforts to enhance primary healthcare services. He assured the continued collaboration of traditional rulers in overseeing and supervising PHCs within their territories to ensure consistent service delivery standards.
