The Kwara government, on Wednesday, distributed hospital and laboratory equipment, essential drugs and other medical supplies to the state hospital management board and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.

The intervention is facilitated under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (Project HOPE) initiative.

The initiative is expected to revitalise PHCs, which are the first point of contact for healthcare for most citizens.

Speaking at the official handover in Ilorin, the commissioner for finance, Hauwa Nuru, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building a functional and people-centred health system that leaves no one behind.

The commissioner, who is the chairman of the State Project HOPE Steering Committee, explained that the medical equipment will improve access to quality healthcare for all.

“The Project HOPE is one of the administration’s flagship programmes designed to bridge long-standing gaps in healthcare infrastructure, manpower and service delivery, especially at the grassroots,” she said.

Ms Nuru charged the benefiting health facilities to make judicious use of the items, while assuring that the state government remains resolute in providing the resources needed for efficient and quality service delivery.

“Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision is clear; to make healthcare accessible, affordable and reliable for every Kwara resident, regardless of location,” she said.

Also speaking, the executive secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nusirat Elelu, commended Mr AbdulRazaq for his consistent support and huge investments in the health sector, especially in primary healthcare.

Ms Elelu described the gesture as a reflection of the present administration’s unwavering resolve to reposition the state’s health system for efficiency and sustainability.

According to her, this is a deliberate strategy to strengthen the state PHC system through infrastructure upgrades, supply of essential commodities and capacity-building for health workers.

Receiving the items on behalf of the beneficiary healthcare facilities, Abdulraheem Malik, the executive secretary, Kwara State Hospital Management Board, expressed appreciation to the state government for the intervention.

He pledged that the supplies would be properly utilised to enhance patient care and improve service delivery across all facilities.

The equipment distributed includes outreach tricycles, motorcycles and weighing scales for adults and children.

Others include hospital beds, mattresses, delivery couch, haematology analysers, sphygmomanometers, laptops, dressing trolleys, essential drugs, and medical supplies, among others.

(NAN)