Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the work plan for upgrade of additional Primary Health Centres (PHCs), in the state through $500,000 awarded to it for emerging the best in primary health care in the North Central Geopolitical zone.

The Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Dr Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this at the 40th Media Parliament of the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held in Ilorin.

The cash reward would be expended via the accountability mechanism of the United Nation Children and Education Fund (UNICEF).

Elelu explained that the fund would also be utilized for provision of drugs and waste management among others.

“It is no longer news that Kwara State is the best in the North Central as far as PHC is concerned. This recognition came with a cash award of $500,000 to be spent through UNICEF accountability mechanism.

“Kwara State already developed a work plan, which has been approved by the Governor. of which a majority of this fund would be utilized for upgrade of additional PHCs and service improvement (provision of essential drugs, waste management).

“LGAs in the State would also be recognized with cash award based on already developed performance framework by the end of the year,” she said.

The KWSPHCDA scribe maintained that the state government has ensured functionality of primary health care centres in each of the 193 wards of the state.

She added that the number of women with access to quality maternal and child care has substantially increased owing to the foresight of the present administration.

Elelu said, “In the last four years, from 13 State run facilities, we now have 44 that are in the process of transiting into Comprehensive Health Centres, to serve as model centres providing all essential PHC services.

“At present, we have one functional PHC in all our 193 wards. We hope to be able to double that number to 386 in the next few years. These would ensure we bring equitable and quality health services to Kwarans, especially at the grassroot.”

She told the gathering that the state has achieved and sustained greater than 70 percent coverage in routine immunization and other immunization activities.

The Executive Secretary stated that the number of complementary outreach activities conducted including immunization, family planning, health education, treatment of basic ailments has also witnessed significant increase.

She said the initiative of the state government was aimed at bringing services closer to Kwarans living in rural communities.