By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KGSPHCDA) on Saturday said it had established a website (www.ksphcda.org) for the agency as part of its commitment to providing quality and effective healthcare delivery for citizens at the grassroots.
Dr Abubakar Yakubu, the Executive Director, KGSPHCDA, who disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja, named the website as ”www.ksphcda.org”.
According to Yakubu, the creation of website (www.ksphcda.org) is part of the deliberate effort of KGSPHCDA to deepen the synergy between the agency, the community and development partners within and outside the state.
”No individual is an island especially in this era of globalisation.
”Our intention is to make the website current, relevant and interactive so that our local, national and international partners can be abreast of our activities and make their informed contributions to the consolidation and expansion of the modest achievement recorded by the agency in the last two and a half years and beyond.
”For some, the website is long overdue but like the saying goes, it is better late than never”, Yakubu said.
The ED further enumerated some of the achievements recorded under his watch in the last two and a half years in office.
He noted that the agency had intensified routine immunisation campaign through the Inauguration of State Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Center (SERICC) in the State and LERICC at the LGA level.
He added that KGSPHCDA held its Maiden World Press Conference in 2018 where he unveiled his plans for the agency to the world.
”This interactive session has gone a long way to cement the cordial relationship between the agency and the press in Kogi State thereby helping to create public awareness about the activities of PHCDA in the state.
”Others are: Successful conduct of baseline survey of primary health care facilities in the state which enabled the agency and State Ministry of Health to have an accurate data for policy formulation and implementation in the state.
”Support for three hundred (300) health facilities to conduct outreach, fixed and mobile sessions to strengthen immunization services in the state.
”Acquisition and furnishing of a befitting new office complex for the agency which has created a conducive working atmosphere for our Staff and development partners”, he said.
Yakubu added that the agency had also expanded the state’s cold store and installation of 100KVA solar energy ready for commissioning any moment from now, with a total cost of N67 million.
“In addition, signing of the agency’s Amendment Bill into law by the Executive Governor whose significance is the aspect that incorporates PHCUOR in our edict.
”Commencement of and operationalization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Kogi State with the approval of N100 million counter-part fund and effective pre- implementation plans for BHCPF in Kogi State.
”This is the summary of our achievements in the last two and a half years inspite of the paucity of fund and challenges facing the Agency”, he stated.
He, therefore, expressed his profound gratitude to Gov. Yahaya Bello for his unflinching support to the agency.
”We consider His Excellency as the father of primary healthcare in the State because he has the singular honor of reviving the agency from its comatose state prior to my appointment in October 2017.
”I like to also recognise His Excellency, Chief Edward Onoja, the Deputy Governor of Kogi state whom we have crowned as ambassador of primary healthcare because of his outstanding contributions to the success of the agency,” he said.
Yakubu commended the development partners who had been standing like the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ behind the agency, noting that the agency’s modest achievement would not have been possible without them.
”The Press have been instrumental to our activities. Thank you for the news coverage.
”Last but not the least, are the loyal and dedicated management and staff of the agency. I thank you all for your dedication and commitment to our goals,” Yakubu said.
