The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to equitable, preventive, and people-centred healthcare delivery, stressing that no resident should be denied access to basic health services due to cost or location.
Dr Abdulazeez Adeiza, the Commissioner for Health, gave the assurance on Thursday in Lokoja during the flag-off of the distribution of free glucometers and free blood sugar screening across the state.
Adeiza, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr Momoh Aziz, said the initiative marked a significant step in collective efforts to prevent, detect, and manage non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus.
According to him, diabetes remains a growing public health challenge, contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and the economic burden on families and the healthcare system.
“Many of its complications can be prevented through early detection, regular monitoring, and timely intervention. Unfortunately, lack of access to basic diagnostic tools such as glucometers has continued to hinder effective community-level screening and management.
“Today’s distribution is not just about equipment; it is about saving lives, reducing complications, and strengthening our Primary Health Care (PHC) system by ensuring that every PHC facility in the 21 local government areas is equipped with glucometers and test strips,” he said.
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The commissioner explained that the initiative would also include free blood sugar testing for community members and the free distribution of glucometers to persons found with elevated blood sugar levels.
Adeiza commended partner agencies for supporting the initiative and urged healthcare workers at the PHC level to make responsible and optimal use of the equipment through accurate documentation, appropriate referrals, and continuous community health education.
Earlier, Dr Mu’azu Musa, Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the distribution of free blood sugar testing devices to PHC facilities was part of efforts to improve the health and well-being of residents.
Musa said the exercise was made possible through support from the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Health, adding that 252 PHC facilities across the state would benefit.
He explained that the 239 Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF)-supported facilities, alongside other selected high-patient-volume PHCs across all wards in the state, would participate in the exercise.
“I appreciate the Federal Ministry of Health for supporting the health-sector initiatives of Gov. Ahmed Ododo, who has invested massively in healthcare while also providing a secure environment for effective service delivery in the state,” he said.
Musa urged health workers involved in the screening exercise to discharge their duties diligently and ensure that the devices were used strictly for their intended purpose in the interest of the people.
“We expect quality data from the local government areas at the end of this exercise, as this will help the state plan better and achieve wider coverage in future interventions,” he added.
Also speaking, a beneficiary, Mrs Titilayo Usman, whose blood sugar was screened at the event, commended Gov. Ododo for his commitment to strengthening the health sector in the state.
