The World Bank Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACTS) Project has allocated and utilized N4.6 million to each of its primary health care centers, according to the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA) in North Central Nigeria.
Alade Opeyemi, the agency’s press secretary, disclosed in a statement that every Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in the state was given a total of N4.6 million as part of the World Bank-assisted project.
These funds are designated for the purpose of improving grassroots basic healthcare services by purchasing equipment and modernizing facilities.
The agency reported that PHCs have already initiated the execution of the IMPACTS project by implementing facility upgrades, procuring equipment, and addressing other needs outlined in their respective investment plans and need assessments.
Notable acquisitions include laboratory equipment in 193 PHCs, 30 ultrasound scan machines, 73 outreach tricycles, 186 outreach motorcycles, 186 desktop computers, and the sinking of 72 boreholes.
The statement clarified that the disbursement of funds followed the development of investment plans by each PHC in the state, considering the needs assessed before the project commenced.
Kwara State qualified for the World Bank IMPACTS program due to its investments in the basic healthcare sector, meeting specific criteria and fulfilling state counterpart fund payments.
The statement highlighted Kwara State’s recognition with the National Award as the best state in primary healthcare in the central Nigeria region.
It emphasized the state’s commitment to improving public confidence in the health system.
The data presented showcased a significant increase in deliveries and antenatal attendance, with deliveries doubling in 2023 compared to 2020 and 422,631 women attending antenatal care in 2023 compared to 94,276 in 2020, based on DHIS2 platform information.
Assuring continued implementation, the statement affirmed that the World Bank IMPACTS project would run concurrently with other state interventions and initiatives like the Basic Health Care Provision Funds (BHCPF), with the overarching goal of reducing infant and maternal mortality while enhancing Primary Health Care services in Kwara State
