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By Tracy Moses
The Benue State Government, in partnership with Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), has committed over N1.6bn for the revitalization of 22 Primary Healthcare Centres across five Local Government Areas in the state.
At the ground-breaking ceremony for the project over the weekend, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Ashiver Wende, revealed that the project was awarded to Sunsplash Business Systems (SBS).
The revitalization plan will include the construction, rehabilitation, and renovation of six PHCs in Gboko, five in Guma, four in Gwer-West, three in Makurdi, and four in Tarka LGA.
Wende emphasized the importance of the project in enhancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level, noting that the rehabilitation work is expected to be completed within the next fourteen weeks. She also presented the project document to Sunsplash Business Systems.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Barr. Sam Odeh, represented by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, highlighted the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
The revitalization of 98 primary healthcare facilities across Benue aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s goal of making healthcare more accessible to the people.
Dr. Ortese urged the communities benefiting from the project to cooperate with the contractor, protect the facilities from vandalism, and maintain the infrastructure for future generations. In addition to upgrading the existing facilities, the project will also provide solar-powered boreholes, accommodations for healthcare staff, and other essential amenities.
Dr. Ene Ochai, Programme Manager of IMPACT, expressed confidence that the revitalized facilities would significantly benefit the communities and urged locals to support the contractor to ensure timely completion.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government, Maurice Orwough, praised the government’s initiative and pledged the community’s full support. He also assured that the facilities would be protected and regularly patronized.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Mohammed Abdulkareem, the State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), commended the state government for prioritizing healthcare improvements in rural areas and reaffirmed WHO’s ongoing support. Similarly, Shola Abdulrazaq, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Agency, called for the recruitment of frontline health workers to manage the newly upgraded centers.
Chief Azaaior Ikyaanenger, speaking on behalf of the host community, thanked Governor Alia for prioritizing the well-being of the people, while Anzaky Akolo of Sunsplash Business Systems pledged to deliver the project on time and in accordance with the agreed specifications.