Benue Govt Intensifies PHC Oversight to Strengthen Grassroots Healthcare Delivery

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has continued its quarterly oversight of Primary Healthcare Centres across the state with a view to strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery.

Towards this end, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, has led  a state team on an inspection visit to Primary Health Centre Kwararafa  Quarters and Primary Health Centre Adeke in Makurdi Local Government Area.

The exercise is part of the State Government’s continuing effort to translate Governor Hyacinth Alia’s health agenda into functional and accessible healthcare services at the grassroots, with particular attention to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and ensuring that public investments in the sector produce tangible benefits for the people. 

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cephas Hough, and the Director of Health, Makurdi Local Government Area, Mr. William Ayagwa, among other officials.

The team was received by the Officers-in-Charge and management staff of the facilities and conducted an assessment of the centres.

Addressing the health workers, Dr. Ogwuche said the oversight visit was not intended to intimidate or witch-hunt staff, but to strengthen accountability, identify gaps and ensure that government investments in the health sector translate into tangible services for the people.

He urged the workers to take ownership of the facilities and recognise them as critical points of contact between government and communities, particularly women, children and other vulnerable groups who depend heavily on primary healthcare services.

The Health Commissioner stressed that quality healthcare goes beyond buildings and equipment, noting that patients must be received and treated with dignity, respect, compassion and professionalism.

He also charged the health workers to ensure that facility records accurately reflect services provided and urged them to openly document and report challenges relating to staffing, medicines, equipment, infrastructure, water, electricity and other operational needs through the appropriate channels.

According to Dr. Ogwuche, while the State Government is responsible for providing the enabling environment and resources for healthcare delivery, health workers have a corresponding

responsibility to deploy those resources effectively and ensure that they translate into improved services and better health outcomes.

He therefore urged the workers to justify government investments by keeping the facilities functional and ensuring that available resources are effectively utilised.

The Commissioner encouraged staff to regard oversight visits as opportunities for improvement and constructive engagement, where existing strengths, challenges and required support can be openly identified.

He said the ultimate objective of the State Government is to build a primary healthcare system that communities can trust, where patients can access appropriate care in a safe and respectful environment.

Dr. Ogwuche commended the health workers for their service and commitment and urged them to remain focused on their responsibilities to the people.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cephas Hough, commended the management and staff of the facilities for their commitment to duty and their role in bringing healthcare services closer to the people.

Dr. Hough emphasised the importance of regular supervision and constructive engagement with frontline health workers, noting that oversight visits provide opportunities to identify challenges, strengthen systems and improve service delivery.

In his remarks, the Director of Health, Makurdi Local Government Area, Mr. William Ayagwa, also commended the health workers for their dedication and encouraged them to sustain their efforts.

He assured that the government would continue to work with health facilities to address identified gaps and strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.

The visit forms part of the State Ministry of Health and Human Services’ ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight, accountability and functionality across primary healthcare facilities and ensure that government investments in the health sector deliver meaningful benefits to the people of Benue State.