UNICEF Renovates Three Primary Healthcare Facilities in Katsina

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has renovated three Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Daura, Batagarawa and Funtua Local Government Areas of Katsina State to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility in the state.

The facilities, renovated under the Global Fund, are the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC), Bakiyawa in Batagarawa; the Sabon Gari Primary Health Centre in Daura; and the Dandutse Primary Health Centre in Funtua.

While handing over the renovated Bakiyawa MCHC on Thursday, the Health Manager of the UNICEF Field Office Kano, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum, called for sustained investment in the healthcare sector to tackle the health challenges affecting women and children.

He urged the Katsina State Government to ensure adequate staffing, regular provision of essential medicines and supplies, routine maintenance and the prompt commencement of quality services at the renovated facilities.

Seyoum stressed that the sustainability of the investment depended on effective management and continued commitment by relevant government authorities and community stakeholders.

He said the completion of the renovated facilities marked an important step towards improving access to essential healthcare services and creating better working conditions for health workers across the benefiting communities.

He explained that the upgraded facilities would contribute significantly to improving healthcare services, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable populations across the three benefiting local government areas.

“Today (Thursday), UNICEF formally hands over these facilities to the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, transferring responsibility for their management, utilisation and maintenance,” Seyoum said.

“We encourage the State Government to ensure adequate staffing, provision of essential supplies, routine maintenance, and the prompt commencement of quality service delivery so that communities can immediately benefit from this investment.”

He thanked the Katsina State Government, the State Primary Health Care Agency, local government authorities, community stakeholders and the Global Fund for their commitment and support, adding that UNICEF remained committed to partnering with the government to strengthen the health system.

Unveiling the Bakiyawa facility, the acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, said the state government would provide the necessary equipment required for the facility to resume full operations.

She added that the agency would assess the facility’s current needs and make a formal request to the state government for additional equipment to complement the basic equipment already provided.

Kabir explained that health workers who were providing services at the facility before the renovation would return and continue their duties.

She noted that the state government is currently implementing a programme to revitalise at least one healthcare facility in each of the state’s 361 wards.

She stressed that another health facility in Bakiyawa had already benefited from comprehensive government intervention, including renovation, provision of equipment, a tricycle, an ambulance and human resources for health.

Kabir stated that the newly renovated facility would require further government support, as it is an additional facility beyond those already prioritised under the state’s revitalisation programme.

The renovation of the three facilities reflects ongoing efforts by development partners and state authorities to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, improve maternal and child health services and expand access to essential care in rural communities across Katsina State.