Ambode Commences Upgrading of 294 PHCs, Schools to World Standard

Ambode to Commence Upgrading of 294 PHCs, Schools to World Standard

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday said his administration has concluded plans to immediately embark on massive transformation and upgrading of the 294 Primary Health Care centres (PHCs) across the state to international best standard with modern gadgets and edifice.

Ambode, who stated this during the inauguration of two new PHCs rehabilitated by the Executive Secretary of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaja Fausat Hassan Olajokun, said he was embarking on the project in order to facilitate access to quality health care delivery, especially in the grassroots.

The governor, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, also unravelled his plans to give a facelift to the dilapidated schools across the state between now and the next six months, in order to enhance conducive atmosphere for learning.

Speaking at the event, Onanuga said: "Lagos State has a lot of PHCs on ground.

 There are 294 PHCs in the state and some are disused; some are going dilapidated; while some are functioning, and the governor even brought up the issue at the State Executive Council meeting yesterday as the emphasis of the governor now is on social service i.e health delivery system, education and social welfare in terms of empowerment and employment of the people.

"If you look at all our schools, they are in serious state of disrepair and the governor wants to focus the next six months on education by making our schools that of international standard as well as our primary health care centres. He wants to upgrade them to international standard, and also social welfare of the people in terms of empowerment and employment.

"Last week, the governor launched and inaugurated the Employment Trust Fund with N6.25billion out of the N25billion for the next four years, and there is a Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and agency of government that called office of Civic Engagement. All these are geared towards government of inclusion especially in the grassroots."

He commended Olajokun for a job well done, saying the level of work done at the health centres were highly commendable and in sync with the programmes of the state government.

On her part, Olajokun said her motivation to embark on the project was borne out of the need to ensure the people of the area live disease-free life, and to have increased access to qualitative health care delivery.