The Sokoto State Government has inaugurated 75 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres under the third phase of its Safe Delivery Initiative, bringing the number of facilities that meet national standards for maternal healthcare to 92, with plans to upgrade all 244 designated centres by the end of 2026.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, announced the development during the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, saying the initiative is aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality by improving access to quality healthcare services across the state’s 23 local government areas.
According to him, the newly upgraded facilities now have skilled birth attendants, essential medicines, modern medical equipment, reliable water and electricity supply, and other infrastructure required under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s standards.
Abubakar said the programme has expanded from the 17 facilities upgraded in its earlier phases to a total of 92 compliant centres, while work continues to ensure all 244 designated Primary Healthcare Centres attain full operational standards before the end of December.
He noted that the initiative is being financed through improved management of existing health resources rather than new taxes, loans or additional donor funding.
The commissioner explained that the state had strengthened accountability through facility-specific business plans and transparent monitoring of funds, while drug procurement had been centralised under the Sokoto State Drug Management and Medical Supplies Agency to improve quality, affordability and accountability.
He also disclosed that the government had introduced a compulsory rural posting policy for professional midwives to improve access to skilled birth attendance in underserved communities.
Abubakar assured residents that facilities yet to meet the required standards would be upgraded in subsequent phases, with priority given to communities facing the highest burden of maternal and child health challenges.
He further revealed that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had approved the release of about N132 million as the state’s counterpart contribution to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, enabling vulnerable women, children and other eligible residents to benefit from health insurance coverage.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, said the agency was working to ensure that vulnerable women not only have access to upgraded facilities but are also aware that safe delivery services are available without financial barriers.
He disclosed that more than 17,100 pregnant women have already been enrolled under the Safe Delivery Initiative in the newly upgraded facilities, adding that Sokoto has also been assigned a target of enrolling 157,000 beneficiaries under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
According to Abdulkarim, the programme also covers children under five, persons living with disabilities, older persons and other vulnerable groups.
He said early results indicate increased use of health facilities, noting that institutional deliveries at one centre had risen from about 20 per cent to 47 per cent as more women opted for facility-based childbirth instead of home deliveries.
Abdulkarim added that the agency, in collaboration with Ward Development Committees, is carrying out community mobilisation and enrolment campaigns to ensure eligible residents benefit from the programme.
Representing development partner Acasus, Daniel Akkor commended the Sokoto State Government for its efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare, describing the Safe Delivery Initiative as a significant step towards ensuring safer pregnancies and expanding access to quality healthcare services across the state.
