The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced plans to rehabilitate 11 primary healthcare facilities to improve access to quality healthcare services in Bauchi State.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, disclosed this on Monday during a meeting with officials of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA) and representatives from the eight participating local government councils.
She said the PHCDA had formally handed over the facilities to UNICEF for revitalization, which is scheduled to be completed within three months. The project will cover service delivery points, water supply, and solarisation of the facilities. Rafique urged contractors handling the projects to strictly adhere to UNICEF guidelines.
According to her, two facilities each in Ningi and Ganjuwa would be upgraded, while one clinic each would be revitalised in Alkaleri, Bauchi, Gamawa, Itas/Gadau, Katagum, Shira, and Toro. The intervention aims to ensure women and children have access to quality healthcare services.
Rafique tasked local health officials and stakeholders to ensure effective monitoring of the projects and urged residents to cooperate with the workers. She commended the state government for providing an enabling environment to facilitate UNICEF’s operations and for prioritizing women and children’s welfare.
The Chairman of the PHCDA, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the agency had relocated some services to facilitate smooth healthcare delivery during the rehabilitation works.
“The work is expected to be completed on time because it is not feasible to move healthcare facilities away from their communities for long periods,” he said.
Mohammed added that temporary accommodation spaces would be identified for the PHCs to ensure continued service delivery, stressing that girl-child education is key to improving healthcare uptake.
“If the girl child is educated, she is more likely to access healthcare for herself and her children, and less likely to deliver at home,” he said.
