Kaduna signs N 1 billion contract to upgrade health facilities

FOLLOWING the decision to upgrade health facilities in Kaduna, the state government has signed a contract with an international firm, General Electric (GE) to equip 255 primary healthcare centres and 23 hospitals in the state at the cost of N1 billion.

The State Executive Council, while approving the contract Tuesday, describing the project, “as a vital aspect of the government’s agenda to expand access to healthcare and improve the facilities, equipment and staffing of the health delivery system at the grassroots.”

The state cabinet also approved the establishment of genotype testing facilities in five public hospitals in Kaduna.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok, spoke on the approval of the contracts at a press briefing. He said the government “is delighted to bring a renowned worldwide company to upgrade its primary healthcare facilities in a way that ensures that each of the 255 wards in the state has an apex Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) to which community health posts, dispensaries and clinics can make referrals.”

According to him, “GE will equip all the 255 PHCs with facilities for antenatal and obstetric screening, including hand-held scanners. The contract will also provide materials essential for the care of newborns, such as warmers, mask and resuscitation equipment.”

The commissioner also explained that, “the contract will further equip 23 comprehensive health centres, one in each local council, with capabilities for surgical care and cardiovascular screening and anesthesia care.”

Nok added that, “this contract is designed as the first phase of a process that aims to modernise all the health centres in the state.”

Said he: “This government has a priority to improve the standard of health services delivered to the citizens of the state. We are intervening to address issues with maternal and new-born child health and to improve diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases through cardiovascular screening.”