Health
Sokoto targets 244 PHCs, launches 75 under safe delivery initiative
Animashaun Salman
The Sokoto State Government on Thursday flagged off the third phase of its Safe Delivery Initiative, inaugurating 75 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 23 local government areas as part of efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
With the latest rollout, the number of PHCs that now meet the national standards for safe delivery services has increased to 92, while the state targets all 244 designated facilities to become fully compliant by the end of December 2026.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, described the initiative as a major step towards ensuring that every pregnant woman in Sokoto has access to quality maternal healthcare close to her community.
“Today, we are launching the third phase of the Safe Delivery Initiative with 75 primary healthcare centres that have successfully met all the national readiness requirements,” he said.
“We started with 17 facilities in the earlier phases, and today’s rollout brings the total number of compliant facilities to 92. Our target remains to ensure that all the 244 designated facilities become fully functional before the end of this year,” Abubakar pointed out.
The commissioner explained that the upgraded centres 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.
According to him, the programme is not driven by fresh borrowing or additional taxation but by better management of existing health sector resources.
“There is no new tax, no new levy and no new donor liability behind this initiative. What has changed is the way we manage the available resources through stronger accountability, facility-specific business plans and transparent monitoring of funds,” Dr. Abubakar said.
He added that the state had strengthened drug procurement by centralising purchases through the Sokoto State Drug Management and Medical Supplies Agency to ensure quality, affordability and accountability.
The commissioner also announced that the state had approved a compulsory rural posting policy for professional midwives to improve access to skilled birth attendance in underserved communities.
He assured the residents and visitors that the facilities that were yet to meet the required standards would be upgraded in phases, with priority given to areas facing the highest maternal and child health burden.
“We are not going to declare any facility ready unless it truly meets the required standards. The remaining facilities are already scheduled for subsequent phases until all 244 become fully compliant,” he stressed.
Faruk disclosed that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had approved the release of about N132 million as the state’s counterpart contribution under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund to support health insurance coverage for vulnerable residents.
“His Excellency has graciously approved the release of the state’s 25 per cent counterpart contribution, which will enable the enrolment of vulnerable women, children and other eligible beneficiaries under the programme,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, remarked that the agency was focused on ensuring that the upgraded facilities translate into greater access to free maternal healthcare for vulnerable women.
“It is one thing for a facility to be equipped and staffed, but it is another for mothers in the community to know they can access safe delivery services without worrying about the cost,” he stressed.
“Our responsibility is to close both the awareness and affordability gaps so that every enrolled mother understands that these services are available without financial barriers.”
Dr. Abdulkarim disclosed that more than 17,100 pregnant women had already been enrolled under the Safe Delivery Initiative in the newly upgraded facilities.
He further revealed that Sokoto had also been assigned a target of enrolling 157,000 beneficiaries under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
“The 17,100 beneficiaries are only the mothers enrolled under this phase. Other categories, including children under five, persons living with disabilities, the elderly and the poorest of the poor, are equally covered under the programme,” he explained.
According to him, the initiative is already producing measurable improvements in healthcare utilisation across the state.
“We have recorded significant progress. In one of the facilities, institutional deliveries increased from about 20 per cent to 47 per cent, indicating that more women are now choosing health facilities instead of home deliveries.”
Abdulkarim maintained that the agency, working with Ward Development Committees, was conducting community mobilisation and enrolment campaigns to ensure that eligible residents benefit from the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the development partners, Mr. Daniel Akkor of Acasus commended the Sokoto State Government for what he described as an innovative approach to improving maternal and child healthcare.
“I want to commend the Commissioner for Health and the Sokoto State Government for the Safe Delivery Initiative. This is not an easy achievement, and what we have seen today reflects a strong commitment to ensuring safer pregnancies and better healthcare services for the people of Sokoto State,” he said.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the Safe Delivery Initiative is a state-led programme aimed at strengthening primary healthcare facilities to provide quality antenatal, delivery and postnatal services, while expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable residents through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
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