By Sani Gupta
In a major step toward achieving universal health coverage, the Nasarawa State Government has fully revitalized 58 primary healthcare facilities to enhance service delivery in rural communities.
Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, stated this during an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lafia.
Dr. Saleh emphasized the state government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services, in the state.
He highlighted that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration has consistently met its counterpart funding obligations to international health partners, including the World Bank.
“The first phase of this project has seen the full revitalization of 58 primary healthcare centers, now equipped to provide 24-hour services with trained health personnel, including nurses and doctors,” he stated.
He explained that the initiative aims to reduce the long-standing challenges faced by rural residents in accessing essential medical care.
Dr. Saleh noted that the Agency has intensified grassroots engagement to encourage residents to utilize primary healthcare centres rather than overcrowding secondary and tertiary hospitals for basic ailments.
He also urged journalists to use their platforms to promote health awareness and issue-based reporting, given their role as key stakeholders in societal development.
Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ, Comrade Isaac Ukpoju, commended the Agency’s reforms, noting that they are already yielding positive results.
“We have observed significant improvements in primary healthcare service delivery over the last four months,” Ukpoju said.
He urged the Agency to remain steadfast in implementing policies that enhance healthcare, particularly in maternal and child health and nutrition.
