The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Global Fund, has renewed its commitment to improving access to quality primary healthcare services in Ebonyi State through the renovation and upgrading of selected health facilities.
During an inspection tour of the Onunweke Model Primary Health Centre in Ishielu Local Government Area, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Charles Lotion, revealed that the facility is among 150 primary healthcare centres being rehabilitated nationwide with support from the Global Fund.
Lotion praised the Ebonyi State Government and community stakeholders for supporting the project, while urging contractors and supervising engineers to maintain high standards throughout the rehabilitation process.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at providing modern healthcare infrastructure that will serve residents, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups.
“We want this facility to remain functional and well-maintained years after completion. The community must take ownership and protect the infrastructure,” he said.
The UNICEF official also appealed to residents to safeguard the health centre and equipment from damage, noting that the project is designed to improve healthcare access, including immunisation, maternal services, and treatment of common health conditions.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Operations and Emergency, Judith Leveillee, said the rehabilitation effort will restore essential healthcare services in the community. She added that the facility will be upgraded with solar energy, clean water supply, and improved sanitation systems to support effective service delivery.
According to her, the collaboration between UNICEF, the Global Fund, and the Ebonyi State Government will contribute to better health outcomes and stronger primary healthcare delivery across the state.
She acknowledged the support of Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, and other partners involved in the implementation of the project.
The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ovuba Chukwuemeka, described the initiative as a major intervention under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency programme, implemented through UNICEF with funding from the Global Fund.
He disclosed that only four primary healthcare centres in Ebonyi were selected for the revitalisation project, describing the opportunity as significant for the benefiting communities.
Chukwuemeka assured residents that efforts were ongoing to address manpower challenges at the facility, including the shortage of doctors caused partly by migration of healthcare professionals.
Residents, however, raised concerns over inadequate medical personnel at the health centre. The Women Leader of the Ward Development Committee, Mrs. Uhuo Celine, appealed to the state government to deploy more doctors and nurses, stressing that the shortage has affected healthcare access in the area.
The community leader, Chief Friday Ogbe, assured UNICEF and its partners that residents would protect and maintain the facility after completion.
The upgraded health centre is expected to improve primary healthcare delivery in Ishielu, enhance maternal and child health services, and contribute to reducing preventable deaths in the community.
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