By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Birnin Kebbi
The European Union (EU) through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday handed over a completed renovated Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bachaka community to the Kebbi State Government.
The three blocks of 27 rooms facility also have 15 functional toilets within the building and 4 outside. The project also include a working solar powered borehole feeding the entire building with portable water.
Bachaka, is a border community in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, bordering Niger Republic. The community is long distance away from Birni Kebbi the state capital with about 110 kilometres, with no access to water and GSM service from Nigeria.
The renovation work, which came under the EU funded Maternal Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) project aimed at taking healthcare delivery to hard-to-reach areas, has completely changed the face of the building which was already dilapidated.
The building according to Umar Sani, the in-charge of the facility, was established in 1999, as dispensary and was later transformed into a PHC in 2003. The renovated works includes; plastering of the entire building.
Changing of all the doors, windows and roofs. Remodeling of the toilets, fixing of all plumbing works, well tiled, complete rewiring and other fittings.
Speaking at the ceremony, District Head of Bachaka, Alhaji Yakubu Maiyaki, who expressed happiness over the gesture by EU and UNICEF to his community, said the development of the centre, means that people will no longer be going to Arugungu and neighboring Niger Republic for medical help.
“We really appreciate UNICEF for renovating this centre, on our part, we are going to inaugurate a committee for the maintenance of the place”
On his part, the LG Chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Hamidu, who was represented by the Councillor Bachaka Ward, Hon. Bashir Shafiu, said the renovation has brought change to the place by encouraging patients to visit the centre as well other people from neighboring Niger Republic.
He Commended the effort of the donor agencies in renovating the place, adding that it has given the centre a facelift which can be upgraded to a general hospital.
The In-Charge, in his vote of thanks, commended the EU and UNICEF for their continued efforts at ensuring their people have quality healthcare delivery system despite their distance from the urbanization.
Umar, also thanked the LG Chair, Councillor and the District Head for their support for the PHC and the community in general. He however appeal for the provision of an ambulance for the centre, saying “because of our situation here we need the ambulance for emergency.”
