Ilorin: The Kwara Government has announced the awarding of contracts worth N5 billion aimed at upgrading 70 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the state’s three senatorial districts. The announcement was made by Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, during a contract-signing event in Ilorin.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the upgrades will include infrastructural improvements, solarisation, the provision of staff quarters, potable water supply, and the supply of ultra-modern hospital equipment to all benefiting PHC facilities. The intervention is supported by the World Bank-backed Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Progress and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project. The aim is to enhance the quality and availability of services provided by PHC facilities throughout the state.
Prof. Elelu emphasized the importance of the upgrades, stating that the overall objective is to ensure that all PHC facilities are ‘fit for purpose’ as they represent the first point of contact with the national health system. She urged successful bidders to adhere to high-quality standards and warned that any contractor found lacking would have their contract terminated. The contracts will be closely monitored to ensure the judicious use of the investment.
This initiative is part of the state government’s broader efforts to revitalize the PHC system. Previously, 53 PHCs were renovated and nine are currently undergoing renovation, with plans for more facilities to be upgraded in the future. The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remains committed to enhancing the PHC system, as evidenced by the recent recruitment of 1,005 PHC workers, including doctors, to ensure adequate staffing.
Dr. Michael Oguntoye, the IMPACT Programme Manager, stated that the contract is to be completed within three months and that delays in implementation will not be tolerated. He highlighted that the PHC upgrade is one of several interventions from the IMPACT project aimed at reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. The primary beneficiaries of the project are under-five children and women, although it will improve health service access for all residents in the state. The project will also strengthen national monitoring and evaluation systems and contribute to service quality improvement nationally.