No fewer than 1,282 frontline health workers in Kogi have been trained, with the aim of addressing the critical gaps in service delivery and improve health outcomes across the state.
The training was organised by Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health, the federal government and the development partners.
The event also included the presentation of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the frontline health workers.
Governor Ahmed Ododo, who officially flagged off the training on Monday at Government House Lokoja, said the training was designed to address the critical gaps in service delivery and improve health outcomes across the state.
“We are committed to providing our citizens with access to quality healthcare services, and we recognise that our healthcare workforce plays a critical role in achieving this goal,” Ododo said.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Elder Joel Salifu, disclosed government’s plans to recruit additional nurses and midwives to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.
He stressed that recruiting more healthcare professionals was part of his administration’s efforts to revitalise the healthcare system and improve quality service delivery to the people of Kogi.
In his remarks, the executive director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina commended the Kogi government for its commitment to strengthening the primary healthcare system in the state.
Aina, who was represented by the director of System Development, NPHCDA, Dr Ngozi Nwosu, praised the governor’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and enhance the skills of healthcare workers.
Aina stressed that the training would equip the health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide integrated and quality health services.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health, through the agency, launched the comprehensive programme to train 120,000 frontline health workers across the country.
“So far, we have trained 56,060 frontline health workers in 34 states across the country. Kogi government plans to train a total of 1,282 frontline health workers in the state,” he said.
On his part, the Kogi State commissioner for Health, Dr. Adeiza Abdulazeez, said the training was a crucial step towards achieving the state government’s goal of providing quality healthcare services to its citizens.
Abdulazeez noted that the state government had made significant progress in improving healthcare services, particularly in the area of vaccination, noting that it has attained an 80 per cent reduction in unvaccinated individuals.
He stressed the importance of building a strong and efficient primary healthcare system, which is critical to achieving universal health coverage.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Also speaking, executive director of KSPHCDA, Dr. Musa Mu’azu, described PHCs system as the bedrock of healthcare infrastructure, and frontline health workers at local level as “frontline soldiers” who provide essential health services in communities.
He emphasised the significance of the training programme, which aimed to equip frontline health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.
Mu’azu noted that the primary healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, inadequate skilled personnel, and limited resources.
He, however commended the governor for his commitment to strengthening the healthcare system, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
He praised the government’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres, enhance the skills of healthcare workers, and provide personal protective equipment to ensure their safety.
Mu’azu expressed optimism that the training would address the unique challenges faced by healthcare workers in Kogi State.
The executive director urged participants to take full advantage of the training, asking questions and sharing their experiences to enhance their knowledge and skills.
According to him, the ultimate goal is to ensure that communities benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired by health workers, leading to improved health outcomes and a stronger healthcare system in Kogi State.
In their separate comments, Dr Gwomson Dauda from World Health Organisation (WHO); and Amb. AK Hudu from UNICEF, and traditional ruler, the Olu of Apata, HRH Oba Fredrick Balogun, jointly pledged their support for the government’s initiative to strengthen the workforce and improve healthcare services in Kogi.
The highlight of the occasion was the official inauguration of the training and the presentation of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the participants by the governor.
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