KEY POINTS

• World Bank support for IMPACT revitalizes 58 PHCs in Nasarawa.
• Its project targets are aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality and fight malaria.
• Achieving this ends up in advocacy thus, focusing on encouraging residents to healthcare facility usage.

In partnership with the World Bank, the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Service (IMPACT) initiative has begun to revitalize 58 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nasarawa State.

The aim of this effort is to improve healthcare access across the state’s 13 local government areas.

IMPACT Project Manager in Nasarawa, Adamu Yakubu -Ohagenyi picked the collaboration between the project and the state government through the Primary Healthcare Development Agency.The development of the 58 PHCs would be over within six weeks, he stated.

Capacity building for enhancing healthcare

The project goes beyond upgrading facilities, it builds the capacity of healthcare workers through training and incentives,’ Yakubu-Ohagenyi said.

Furthermore they are aiming to lower maternal and infant mortality and malaria infections through immunisation and other such efforts.

One part of the project is to allow PHCs to hire extra health workers to do outreach programs and home visits so that never remote areas of the state are accessible to the services of healthcare.

“We are strengthening the healthcare system by making sure that PHC workers are trained and well equipped to provide essential services,” he said.

In addition, the initiative already acquired basic equipment for the PHCs and conducts community sensitization programs aimed at tackling people’s reluctance to use healthcare services.

Advocacy for improving the healthcare access

Yale-Ohagenyi noted that while efforts have addressed diseases and improved maternal and child health, many residents still avoid hospitals.

In response, stakeholders organized a meeting, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and women’s groups, to raise awareness about available healthcare facilities.

Dr. John Damina, Permanent Secretary in the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health commended the collaboration between Nasarawa state government and its partners.

Finally, he pointed out the significant progress in controlling malaria and improving maternal and child health, but emphasized the need for continued advocacy and investment.

State government has also reiterated commitment in improving healthcare infrastructure, manpower and providing equipment to effectively tackle healthcare issues, Damina reaffirmed.