The Enugu State Government has announced the commencement of the construction of 100 additional Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state. This significant expansion is set to begin within the next few weeks, marking a pivotal step in the ongoing Enugu Healthcare Revolution under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah.
The announcement comes on the heels of the earlier commencement of 30 Type-2 PHC facilities, which began about four months ago in various communities within the state’s 17 council areas. These initial projects are now at various stages of completion and are anticipated to be inaugurated soon.
Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), shared the news with journalists in Enugu on Friday. She highlighted the government's ambition to construct a Type-2 PHC in each of the state's 260 political wards, aiming to complete and operationalize at least half of these by the end of the year.
"With the vision and leadership of our amiable governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, we expect that the additional construction of 100 Type-2 PHCs will be completed and operational within this year," said Ani-Osheku. "Our goal is to build, furnish, and inaugurate these facilities to serve our communities effectively."
Each of the planned 260 Type-2 PHCs will be designed with a minimum of 10 rooms, including wards for male and female patients, consulting rooms, an injection room, a dispensary, a laboratory, and a maternity suite. To support the staff, each facility will feature two well-furnished, self-contained staff quarters, ensuring that healthcare providers are readily available and reducing staff truancy.
In a bid to address manpower shortages, the state government has approved the recruitment of 400 new staff members, who will fill clinical and non-clinical positions in the new PHCs. Furthermore, to guarantee continuous service delivery, each PHC will be equipped with solar power to provide 24-hour electricity, ensuring that the facilities remain operational even during night hours.
The state government, in collaboration with its health partners, is also ensuring that the new PHCs are fully equipped with the necessary medical equipment, drugs, and consumables to provide optimal and high-quality healthcare services.
"The renewed focus and massive investment in the functionality of PHC centres is intended to make them the cornerstone of healthcare delivery in Enugu State," Ani-Osheku emphasized. "Our administration aims for these centres to address around 80% of the healthcare needs of our residents, especially in rural communities."
Additionally, the expanded PHCs are expected to enhance immunization coverage, health education and awareness, disease surveillance, and play a critical role in the state health insurance scheme. The state health insurance plan offers residents the opportunity to participate in a community health insurance scheme for a nominal fee of N12,000 annually.
Ani-Osheku further clarified that existing PHCs will not be abandoned but rather strengthened with additional staff, equipment, and resources to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare. The strategic placement of new Type-2 PHCs in different corners of political wards ensures accessibility for residents, minimizing travel distances to receive care.
"This thoughtful arrangement will ensure that residents, regardless of their location within a political ward, can easily access healthcare services at any time," Ani-Osheku noted. "Our PHCs are designed to operate 24 hours a day, providing optimal and continuous healthcare services."
The Enugu Healthcare Revolution signifies a transformative era for the state, promising improved healthcare accessibility, quality, and outcomes for all residents.
