The Oyo State Government has commenced a new phase of its healthcare revitalisation plan with the comprehensive upgrade of 66 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.
This development, which includes the installation of solar-powered systems and the distribution of essential medical equipment, aims to enhance healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan.
He noted that the project is part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure under the Omituntun 2.0 agenda.
Also speaking during the distribution of equipment at one of the upgraded centres in Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the initiative as a significant step in bridging the gap in healthcare delivery across communities.
“Healthcare remains one of the cardinal pillars of Governor Makinde’s administration,” Dr Ajetunmobi said.
“We are addressing both infrastructure and personnel deficits in the health sector.”
She explained that the latest phase of the initiative follows the earlier renovation of over 200 PHCs. In this new round, two health centres in each of the state’s local government areas were selected based on factors such as patient load.
Each of the 66 centres is being equipped with a 10 KVA Solar Inverter System fitted with hybrid inverters and lithium batteries to ensure uninterrupted power supply. In addition, computer tablets loaded with Electronic Medical Records software have been provided to facilitate efficient record-keeping.
Dr Ajetunmobi further highlighted the inclusion of Red-Brick Incinerators for medical waste management, along with a wide range of medical devices, including glucometers, pulse oximeters, autoclaves, and oxygen cylinders.
She also announced that a Drug Revolving Fund will soon be introduced to maintain a steady supply of essential drugs at the upgraded facilities.
“We are not only renovating buildings, we are also making sure that the tools needed to save lives are available, and that healthcare workers are well supported,” she added.
According to the Health Commissioner, more than 3,000 health workers have already been recruited to strengthen staffing at PHCs statewide.
The Managing Director of First Health Dynamic Synergy International Limited, Professor Temitope Alonge, whose firm implemented the upgrades, confirmed that the centres were chosen based on the population they serve. He applauded the government for making necessary tools available, saying, “There should be no more excuses in our PHCs. The necessary equipment is now in place.”
At the commissioning of the upgraded PHC in Olorisa-Oko, Akinyele Local Government Area, the council chairman, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, expressed appreciation to the governor, assuring that the local authority would provide adequate security to protect the facilities and staff.
Among the first beneficiaries of the upgrades is the Odo-Ona Elewe PHC in Oluyole Local Government Area. Some of the equipment provided include mobile and tabletop sphygmomanometers, pediatric BP cuffs, infrared thermometers, point-of-care test kits for HIV and Syphilis, nebulisers, and first aid boxes, among others.
The state government has called on residents to take ownership of the centres and ensure they are not vandalised.
“With these strategic upgrades, Oyo State reaffirms its commitment to delivering accessible and quality healthcare to all residents, especially those in rural and underserved areas,” Dr Ajetunmobi concluded.