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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Eleven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State have been selected for comprehensive upgrades aimed at improving healthcare service delivery in rural communities.
The selected facilities were officially handed over to contractors on Monday during a ceremony held at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Bauchi.
The PHCs selected for revitalisation are Alkaleri Town PHC, Alkaleri West Ward, Alkaleri LGA, Tashan Babiye PHC, Dankade Ward, Bauchi LGA, Kubdiya PHC, Kubdiya Ward, Gamawa LGA,Sabuwar Kariya PHC, Kariya A Ward, and Ganjuwa LGA.
Others are Miya MPHC, Miya Ward, Ganjuwa LGA, Kashuri (Mat) Primary Health Clinic, Kashuri Ward, Itas-Gadau LGA, Tatari Ali PHC, Tsakuwa Ward, Katagum LGA.
Also selected for upgrades are Balma Health Clinic, Balma Ward, Ningi LGA, Jimi Health Clinic, Kudu Yamma Ward, Ningi LGA, Andubun PHC, Andubun Ward, Shira LGA, Zalau PHC, Zalau Ward, Toro LGA.
The project is a collaboration between the Bauchi State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), focusing on revitalising primary healthcare facilities to strengthen services for mothers and children.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, described the initiative as the largest overhaul of primary healthcare facilities in the state’s history.
Dambam attributed the achievement to Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to the health sector, noting that 15 per cent of the state’s annual budget is allocated to health in line with the Abuja Declaration.
The Health Commissioner said the sector has received unprecedented attention under the current administration, with significant improvements in infrastructure and medical equipment.
Dambam also commended UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their sustained support through various health interventions.
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In her remarks, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government for its leadership and partnership.
Rafique said the project focuses on improving service delivery through facility rehabilitation, solar power installation and improved water supply systems.
According to her, the revitalisation covers 11 PHCs across nine LGAs, with Ganjuwa and Ningi LGAs having two facilities each, while the remaining LGAs have one each.
The UNICEF Chief of Office emphasised that the success of the project depends on commitment to quality construction, adherence to safety protocols, and protection of community members during the construction period.
Rafique stressed the importance of ensuring that the facilities are completed to standard within the three-month timeline, adding that all installations—including water supply, solar power and lighting—must be fully functional before handover.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, thanked UNICEF for approving the facilities for revitalisation and described the project as timely.
Mohammed said, given the state’s growing population, assured that the state would fully support contractors to ensure strict adherence to project specifications.
Speaking on behalf of the 20 Local Government Areas, the Bauchi State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Bauchi LGA, Mahmood Babamaji, thanked UNICEF and other partners for the intervention.
Babamaji said the project would improve access to quality healthcare in rural areas and reaffirmed ALGON’s support for the state government’s development initiatives.
