From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The World Bank has commended Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for expanding access to healthcare services in underserved and hard-to-reach communities across the state.The commendation was given by the World Bank’s Senior Health Specialist, Dr. Onoriode Ezire, during a monitoring and assessment visit to facilities supported under the IMPACT Project and other revitalised primary healthcare centres in Kogi State.
The IMPACT Project — Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services — is a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at improving the quality and utilisation of healthcare services in Nigeria.
According to project officials, the programme includes plans to renovate more than 239 primary healthcare centres and install modern medical equipment in 88 facilities to help reduce maternal and child mortality. The initiative also supports community-driven development by providing infrastructure such as solar power, water supply and staff quarters, while strengthening immunisation and malaria prevention services.
Dr. Ezire praised the Kogi State Government for investing in healthcare infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the programme. He urged residents to make use of the improved primary healthcare services across the state.
During the visit, the team also met with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, and the Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery.
The delegation inspected facilities at Agbadu Bunu Primary Healthcare Centre and Old Market Primary Healthcare Centre in Lokoja.
