In a major step toward achieving universal health coverage and revitalising the state’s primary healthcare system, the Oyo State Government has commenced a comprehensive upgrade of 66 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all 33 local government areas. The initiative, which forms part of the second phase of Governor Seyi Makinde’s healthcare development agenda, aims to equip rural health centres with essential medical equipment, digital health records systems, and uninterrupted electricity powered by solar inverters.

This move follows the successful renovation of over 200 PHCs in the first phase of the administration’s health sector reform under the Omituntun 2.0 agenda. The latest development demonstrates a firm commitment by the state government to bring accessible, quality, and modern healthcare services closer to underserved and rural communities.

Announcing the upgrade in a statement released on Saturday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, described the initiative as a bold response to the healthcare needs of millions of residents in the state’s grassroots communities.

Speaking during the official distribution of medical equipment to one of the newly upgraded PHCs in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to reposition the healthcare system to better serve the people.

“The revitalization of our PHCs is a deliberate and strategic step to fix the fundamental gaps in primary healthcare delivery across Oyo State,” Ajetunmobi said. “Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has shown unwavering commitment to healthcare as one of the pillars of Omituntun 2.0. After the first phase of renovations, we are now moving into a more impactful phase that focuses on full facility upgrades and the provision of modern equipment.”

According to her, two PHCs have been selected in each of the state’s 33 local government areas, with selection criteria including patient traffic, population density, and strategic location. These health centres are being outfitted with an array of medical devices and infrastructure aimed at ensuring round-the-clock service delivery and higher quality of care.

The comprehensive upgrade includes the Installation of 10KVA Solar Inverter Systems with hybrid inverters and lithium-ion batteries to ensure constant electricity supply; Provision of two computer tablets per facility; one for the Medical Records Officer and another for the Officer-in-Charge, preloaded with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software; Installation of Red-brick Incinerators for safe, environmentally friendly disposal of medical waste and also Distribution of critical medical equipment.

Dr Ajetunmobi also announced the planned implementation of a Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) to guarantee the consistent availability of essential medicines at all upgraded PHCs “This initiative is more than just an upgrade. It is a transformation that addresses healthcare infrastructure, personnel, equipment, and medicine supply all at once,” she said. “We call on residents of these communities to take ownership of the facilities and protect them from vandalism and misuse.”

She noted that, beyond infrastructure, the state has already recruited over 3,000 healthcare workers in recent years to reinforce the staffing needs of PHCs and ensure that qualified professionals are available to deliver services at all times.

In his remarks at the event, Professor Temitope Alonge, Managing Director of First Health Dynamic Synergy International Limited said, the organisation contracted to carry out the upgrades, commended the state government for its forward-thinking approach in selecting PHCs based on population served and healthcare demand.

“This project ensures that no primary healthcare centre will be without the minimum necessary tools to function effectively,” Alonge said. “The solar-powered systems alone will eliminate one of the most persistent obstacles—lack of electricity—and will enable our health workers to deliver uninterrupted care regardless of time or weather conditions.”

At the Olorisa-Oko PHC in Akinyele Local Government, one of the centres selected for early implementation, the council chairman, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, expressed appreciation to the Makinde administration for prioritising grassroots healthcare. He pledged the local government’s continued support by ensuring the safety of health workers, infrastructure, and newly installed equipment.

“The PHCs are the first point of contact for healthcare in our communities. With this level of investment and commitment from the state government, we will do everything necessary at the local level to maintain and secure these facilities,” Akinleye stated.

Another beneficiary, the Odo-Ona Elewe PHC in Oluyole Local Government, has already received its full complement of equipment, further demonstrating the administration’s readiness to accelerate healthcare delivery reform across the state.

The Oyo State Government says this holistic intervention reflects its larger goal of building a healthcare system that is resilient, equitable, and accessible to all residents—regardless of location or economic status. With primary healthcare being the foundation of any functional healthcare system, the administration’s multi-phase revitalisation plan is expected to significantly reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals by providing timely and effective care at the grassroots level.

As the state prepares for the full rollout of this upgrade across all 66 PHCs, the government is calling on community leaders, health professionals, and civil society organisations to work together to ensure sustainability, accountability, and long-term impact.

“This is a collaborative journey,” Dr Ajetunmobi concluded. “We are laying the foundation for a healthier Oyo State, one community at a time.”