The Katsina State government has received three upgraded primary health care centres (PHCs) from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The facilities are the MCHC Bakiyawa in Batagarawa Local Government Area (LGA), Sabon Gari PHC in Daura Local Government Area and Dandutse PHC in Funtua Local Government.

Speaking at the handover on Thursday in Bakiyawa village, UNICEF health manager for the Kano field office, Serekeberehan Seyoum, said the projects were implemented with support from the Global Fund.

Mr Seyoum said UNICEF served as the implementing partner for renovating and upgrading the three 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.

“The facilities are now ready to provide quality health services to their respective communities,” he said.

The UNICEF official said the formal handover transferred responsibility for the management, utilisation and maintenance of the facilities to the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

He urged the state government and relevant authorities to ensure adequate staffing, provision of essential medical supplies and routine maintenance of the facilities.

Mr Seyoum also called for the prompt commencement and sustenance of quality services to enable communities to derive maximum benefits from the investment.

He commended the Katsina State government, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, local government authorities, community stakeholders and the Global Fund for their support and collaboration.

According to him, UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Katsina government in strengthening its health system and improving residents’ well-being.

“We are proud to hand over these upgraded facilities and look forward to seeing them serve as centres of quality health care for communities across Katsina State,” he said.

Earlier, the executive secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shaumau Abba, commended UNICEF and the Global Fund for the intervention.

Ms Abba assured that the agency, in collaboration with the respective local government councils, would provide the necessary equipment and personnel to ensure effective service delivery at the facilities.

She pledged that the agency would ensure that residents of the benefiting communities fully utilise and benefit from the upgraded health centres.

Also speaking, the chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Council, Yahaya Lawal-Kawo, represented by his vice-chairman, Batagarawa Local Government Council, Yahaya Lawal-Kawo, pledged the council’s commitment to protecting and maintaining the facility.

(NAN)