The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over three Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) to the Katsina State Government after renovating and upgrading them with modern facilities.

The PHCs, including the MCHC Bakiyawa, Batagarawa Local Government Area; Dandutse PHC, Funtua council; and Sabon Gari PHC, Daura council, are aimed at boosting access to healthcare delivery for vulnerable persons.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Bakiyawa village, UNICEF Health Manager, Kano Field Office, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum, said the projects were implemented with support from the Global Fund.

Seyoum said UNICEF served as the implementing partner for the renovation and upgrading of the facilities to improve access to quality primary health care services.

He said the successful completion of the projects would improve working conditions for health workers and enhance health outcomes, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

He said the formal handover transferred responsibility for the management, utilisation and maintenance of the facilities to the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA).

Seyoum, therefore, called on the state government and relevant authorities to ensure adequate staffing, provision of essential medical supplies and routine maintenance of the facilities.

He also called for the prompt commencement and sustenance of quality service delivery to enable communities to derive maximum benefits from the investment.

The UNICEF representative said the organization remains committed to supporting the state government in strengthening its health system and improving the well-being of residents.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shaumau Abba, assured that the agency, in collaboration with respective councils, would provide the necessary equipment and personnel to ensure effective service delivery at the facilities.

While commending UNICEF and the Global Fund for the intervention, Abba said the agency would ensure that residents of the benefiting communities fully utilise and benefit from the upgraded health centres.

On his part, Executive Chairman, Batagarawa council, Hon. Yahaya Kawo, also assured of the council’s commitment to the protection and maintenance of the facility.

Kawo, respresented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahmsn Ahmad, said the council would work closely with stakeholders to ensure full utilisation of the facility by community members.