The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over the renovated and expanded DISO Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano to Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the intervention is part of efforts to strengthen health infrastructure and improve access to quality primary healthcare services in the state.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kano, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, urged community leaders and residents to take ownership of the facility to ensure its sustainability.
“Community ownership is critical to preserving investments in healthcare and ensuring that the facilities continue to serve present and future generations,” Ur-Rehman said.
He said the DISO PHC was among five healthcare facilities renovated under a Global Fund-supported programme implemented by UNICEF.
The UNICEF official stressed the need for proper maintenance of the infrastructure, adequate deployment of skilled health workers, and regular availability of medicines, vaccines, and other essential supplies.
He also called for continuous monitoring of service delivery to ensure that the upgraded facilities achieved their intended objectives.
Ur-Rehman expressed appreciation for the partnership between UNICEF, the Kano State Government, and the SPHCMB, describing the project as a demonstration of the impact of collaboration among government, development partners, and communities.
He acknowledged the Global Fund for its continued support toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving service delivery.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Kano State in strengthening its primary healthcare system and improving the well-being of children, women, and families.
The renovated facility comprises an expanded delivery room, laboratory, consultation room, nurses’ station, male and female wards, as well as separate toilets for male and female persons living with disabilities, among other improvements.
Receiving the facility on behalf of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, the Director of Administration, Adamu Pate, commended UNICEF and other partners for their support.
Pate said the intervention would contribute to improving healthcare services for residents of the area.
He also commended the contractor for executing the renovation and upgrade works, particularly for collaborating with the Ward Development Committee during implementation.
The director emphasised the importance of community participation in ensuring the ownership and sustainability of the facility.
On his part, the Ward Head of DISO Ward, Ahmed Bello, assured UNICEF and other partners that the community would protect and maintain the facility.
Bello said residents would work toward ensuring that the renovated health centre remained functional and continued to provide quality healthcare services. (NAN)
