By Stephen Ojo
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has commended the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), for the released of N260 million for the construction of additional 40 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across Niger State.
The Farmer Governor gave the commendation Wednesday,September 18, while welcoming the Executive Director of the Agency, Dr Muyi Aina during courtesy visit at government house Minna.
Earlier in a remark, Dr Aina explained that the additional PHC facilities would support and complement efforts of the state government on health care delivery to rural communities in the state.
He said: “this project will be directly funded from the NPHCDA resources mobilised from development partners. More PHC facilities in Niger state will benefit from the Basic Health Care Provision Funds “.
He added, ” the federal government intends to double the numbers of PHC receiving the funds as well as increase the amount the facilities receive from N300,000 to between N600,000 and N800,000 quarterly depending on the number of patients they attend to”.
While commending the Farmer Governor for making giant strides in other critical sectors, the Executive Director appealed for the engagement of more human resources in the health sector, adding that, ” there is the need for more human resources and increase in the density of the level two facilities to address maternal health issues”.
While Appreciating the gesture of the Agency, Governor Bago said his administration is making deliberate effort in health and education, adding that, “70 to 80 percent of the state capital expenditure will go into the two sectors next year “.
He explained that the government has opened discussions with international organisations to deploy technology in the health sector, adding that, “soon all PHC facilities in the state would have telemedicine”.