By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commissioned 80 revitalised primary healthcare (PHC) facilities under the first phase of the state’s healthcare revitalisation programme. The ceremony took place across various communities in the state.
Governor Ododo described the commissioning as a monumental achievement and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for healthcare development through strategic appointments and federal backing.
He specifically commended the appointment of Dr. Muyi Aina, a Kogi indigene, as Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), calling it a recognition of merit and a boost to the state’s healthcare system.
Ododo urged communities to protect the revitalised facilities against vandalism to ensure sustainability and pledged the introduction of a monitoring mechanism to track service delivery, drug dispensation, and facility management across all PHCs.
In a bid to encourage excellence, the governor announced cash rewards of N250,000 each for winners of the PHC Leadership Challenge across all Local Government Areas in the state. Additionally, he approved N3 million, N2 million, and N5 million for the first, second, and overall best-performing LGAs in each senatorial district.
“This initiative is to encourage healthy competition and inspire improved service delivery in our PHC system,” the governor said, emphasizing that recognition serves both as a reward and an incentive for health workers.
Governor Ododo also handed over medical equipment and commodities provided by the Federal Ministry of Health, the NPHCDA, and development partners. The revitalised prototype PHC at the Old Market area in Lokoja was formally commissioned during the event.
In his remarks, Dr. Aina commended Governor Ododo’s visionary leadership and expansion of the state’s health insurance scheme despite limited resources. He noted that the PHC Leadership Challenge is designed to reward officers who demonstrate prompt reporting, empathy in client relations, diligence, efficiency, and accurate data management.
Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulaziz Adams Adeiza, praised all stakeholders for their contributions and revealed that surveillance and feedback committees have been established to ensure sustainability and accountability in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Muazu Omeiza, Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, expressed optimism that Governor Ododo’s interventions would significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality rates across the state.
The commissioning of the revitalised PHCs and recognition of outstanding personnel underscores Governor Ododo’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes for Kogi residents.
