Oyo State Government on Tuesday kick-started equipping the 351 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state with new power generating sets.
Our correspondent reports that the symbolic presentation of 97 generating sets to some of the PHCs in Ibadan, was held at the state Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.
Mr Ademola Aderinto, the Engineering Technical Lead of PHCs Renovation Committee, said, “henceforth, PHCs will be powered by an alternative source whenever there is disruption of power supply by the electricity provider.”
Aderinto, who is also the Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, said the motive behind the presentation, was to ensure that all the PHCs were equipped for the comfort of patients.
He said part of the project’s goal was to deliver generators for electricity supply to all renovated centres.
Aderinto said that the state government had sunk boreholes to ensure a steady supply of water, not only to the PHCs, but also to the community through taps placed outside the PHCs.
“Gov. Seyi Makinde’s vision is to make healthcare more accessible and equitable to all residents of Oyo State.
“Part of this vision is the renovation/Upgrading of one PHC per ward, there are 351 wards in Oyo State.
“This project that began in 2021 has resulted in over 206 newly renovated PHCs, as well as many newly built PHCs.
“This project was initiated by the Oyo State Governor’s Office, in collaboration with the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board and the Oyo State Ministry of Health.
“This is led by Dr Funmi Salami, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, as the Project Lead and Chairperson of the Renovation Committee,”
He said.
In his remarks, Dr Muideen Olatunji, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, said the aim of the Makinde-led administration was to make healthcare available to all Oyo residents.
Olatunji said the project was executed to ensure quality healthcare service delivery at the centre.
He thanked the Dominant Engineering that upgraded/built the new 99 PHCs.
Earlier, Mr Abdulfatah Oloyede, the Chairman, Ward Development Committee, (WDC), said the development initiative had been well-received by the state communities.
Oloyede appreciated the state government for the gesture, adding that WDCs, an apolitical group, appreciated the laudable gesture.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the event was graced by Mr Sikiru Sanda, the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter and Mr Saheed Oladayo, the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government.