The World Bank has commended the Ogun State Government for its sustained investment in primary healthcare, describing it as a vital foundation for developing the state’s human capital and securing its future.
Galina Vincelette, Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services at the World Bank, delivered the praise in a statement on Thursday during a visit to Makun Primary Healthcare Centre in Sagamu Local Government Area.
Makun PHC is one of 75 primary healthcare facilities in the state that have been upgraded under the World Bank’s IMPACT project.
Vincelette emphasized that the facility represents more than just bricks and mortar, highlighting it as a deliberate effort to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery in a sustainable and long-term manner.
The World Bank official said, “What you are doing here clearly demonstrates the importance of investing in human capital. You are building Nigeria’s future by saving lives, immunising children, and supporting mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.
“This investment is commendable and strengthens the Nigerian health system, particularly for the people of Ogun State. The infrastructure is impressive.
“I see clean water, hygienic bathrooms, and quarters where staff can rest or even sleep when necessary. These are the kinds of details that make a system function effectively, not just exist.”
Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, revealed that the Ogun State Government has solarised primary healthcare centres across the state to ensure uninterrupted 24-hour healthcare services.
She explained that the provision of solar-powered lighting would also enhance routine immunisation and child health delivery, noting that the Makun PHC is among the beneficiaries of this initiative.
Dr. Coker added that, beyond the 75 PHCs highlighted under the World Bank’s programme, a total of 236 flagship health facilities across the state have received financial and operational support to deliver integrated immunisation services on a biweekly basis within their communities.
She further noted that these facilities have been empowered to integrate malaria testing, child health services, and the provision of essential drugs and immunisation commodities—even in areas where malaria interventions were not originally part of the programme’s core design.
Dr. Coker said, “All 75 PHCs supported by the IMPACT project received 7.5kVA solar energy systems to ensure we can maintain the 24-hour healthcare services we promised our people. Makun Health Centre is proudly one of those supported facilities.” She added that communities are fully involved in the project to ensure its sustainability.
She further explained that community ownership was deliberately built into the initiative through regular meetings of Ward Development Committees, emphasizing that active community participation remains critical to sustaining healthcare interventions.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for laying the groundwork for the project, attributing its success to the governor’s visionary support.
The IMPACT Project Manager, Kofoworola Olajide, described the initiative as a landmark achievement in Ogun State’s drive to strengthen primary healthcare delivery. She noted that, in addition to infrastructural upgrades, the project provided essential medical equipment to the PHCs and implemented decentralised facility funding to support various primary healthcare activities, enhance service delivery, and boost community demand for healthcare services.