The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over the renovated and expanded DISO Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State to the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB).
The intervention is part of efforts to improve health care infrastructure and strengthen access to quality primary health care services in the state.
Addressing the handover ceremony, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kano, urged the residents and community leaders to take ownership of the facility and ensure its regular maintenance.
“The sustainability of this facility is very much dependent on the ownership and commitment of the community,” he said. We call on community leaders and residents to protect this investment and to ensure that it continues to be a benefit for both the present and future generations.”
Ur-Rehman also urged the concerned stakeholders to ensure that the facility was adequately staffed with skilled health workers and regularly provided with medicines, vaccines and other essential commodities.
“We need the right health workers, medicines and vaccines available regularly and ongoing surveillance of service delivery, he said. These are necessary to guaranty that this investment is translated into improved health outcomes.”
Better community engagement would help to save the facility and improve the quality and sustainability of primary healthcare services, the UNICEF official said.
“When government, development partners and communities work together toward a common goal, we can achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in healthcare delivery,” he said.
Ur-Rehman acknowledged the Global Fund’s contribution to strengthening health infrastructure and service delivery, while restating UNICEF’s commitment to support Kano State to improve the health and well-being of children, women and families.
The DISO PHC is one of five health facilities that have been renovated under a Global Fund supported program implemented by UNICEF.
The upgraded facility now has an expanded delivery room, laboratory, consultation room, nurses’ station, male and female wards, and separate male and female toilets that are designed to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the SPHCMB, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim, the Director of Administration of the Board, Adamu Fate, lauded UNICEF for the intervention.
“We are thankful to UNICEF and its partners for this important intervention,” said Fate. “Renovation of DISO PHC will immensely help in improving the quality of the primary health care services given to the people.”
Similar interventions in the state would strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and improve the delivery of services at the grassroots, he said.
Speaking at the event, Ahmed Bello, Ward Head of DISO Ward, told UNICEF and other partners that the community would ensure the facility was protected and maintained.
The community appreciated the intervention and will take ownership of the protection of the facility so that the health center remains functional and continues to deliver quality healthcare services,” said Bello.