Delta Upgrades 41 Primary Health Centres to Level-2 Standards, Installs Solar Systems for 24-Hour Healthcare

The Delta State Government has upgraded 41 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state to Level-2 standards, providing them with modern medical and surgical equipment as well as independent solar power systems to strengthen round-the-clock healthcare delivery.

The intervention is aimed at improving access to quality primary healthcare, particularly in rural communities, while enhancing maternal and child health outcomes and the capacity of grassroots facilities to respond to medical emergencies.

Speaking at the official handover of the equipment and infrastructure in Asaba on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the initiative was part of the state government’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare delivery under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.

Onojaeme, who was represented by the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Charles Eboka, said the facilities received more than 27 categories of medical and surgical equipment.

The items include delivery beds, gynaecological examination beds, foetal Dopplers, suction machines, surgical instrument sets, oxygen cylinders, nebulisers, adult beds and drug cabinets.

Each of the upgraded facilities also received an off-grid solar power system comprising a 5KVA inverter, 10KWH lithium-ion batteries, MPPT charge controllers and 600-watt solar panels. A 9.3KVA generator was also provided to support electricity supply.

According to the Commissioner, the improved facilities would be better positioned to conduct safe deliveries, manage emergencies, strengthen disease surveillance and reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths.

He said the government had introduced accountability measures to ensure that the equipment was properly maintained and utilised. These include formal delivery records and routine monitoring visits to the facilities.

The intervention also complements Delta State’s free healthcare programme for pregnant women, children under five and senior citizens.

Speaking on the impact of the project, the Officer-in-Charge of Iduumuje-Ugboko Primary Healthcare Centre in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Mrs. Violet Aruegbe, said the solar installation would address the facility’s electricity challenges and make it possible to conduct deliveries at night and respond promptly to emergencies.

She, however, appealed to the state government to provide a dedicated borehole to complement the upgraded infrastructure.

Similarly, a Community Health Extension Worker II at Aradhe in Isoko North Local Government Area, Mrs. Queen Orogun, commended the government for supplying functional medical equipment, saying the intervention would improve healthcare services and patient care in rural communities.

The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for Ethiope East Local Government Area, Mrs. Roseline Umukoro, also said the upgraded facilities would strengthen disease surveillance, improve emergency response and contribute to better community health outcomes.