Sule approves N1bn to procure equipment for PHCs in Nasarawa State

Abdullahi Sule has approved N1 billion to procure essential medical equipment to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr Usman Iskilu-Saleh, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, disclosed this during a chat with our correspondent on Tuesday in Lafia.

He said that the approval was part of ongoing efforts to revitalise at least one functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 147 wards of the state by 2027.

According to him, 58 facilities earlier revitalised under the World Bank programme have been completed, while an additional nine are being funded directly by the state government, six by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and another nine by UNICEF.

The executive secretary added that staffing gaps had been addressed with the recruitment of 1,586 health workers in 2023 and another 681 in 2025, bringing the total new staff strength to 2,237.

“These staff include nurses, midwives, community health extension workers, pharmacy technicians, laboratory staff and doctors who have already been deployed to various primary healthcare facilities,” he said.

Iskilu-Saleh explained that the new equipment to be procured includes blood pressure machines, glucometers, thermometers, weighing scales, ultrasound scanners, centrifuges, microscopes, and essential drugs.

He noted that the interventions had increased patronage of primary healthcare facilities across the state and positioned Nasarawa as a model in the country.

The executive secretary commended Sule for prioritising healthcare delivery through his constant support and intervention.

He added that the agency would sustain accountability and community engagement to ensure quality services.