Sokoto Govt Rehabilitates 244 PHCs After THE WHISTLER Report

Following THE WHISTLER’s investigative reports exposing the decay in the Primary Healthcare system, the Sokoto State Government has awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of all 244 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu made the announcement during the flag-off of the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign held in Achida town of Wurno Local Government Area.

The move comes after two investigative stories published by THE WHISTLER on the collapsing state of primary healthcare in the State.

In the reports, THE WHISTLER revealed that many PHCs lacked basic facilities, forcing women to deliver in inconvenient circumstances, as well as pushing patients toward overcrowded tertiary hospitals.

Speaking at the event, Governor Aliyu, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, said the rehabilitation project aims to bring healthcare closer to the people and restore public trust in the system.

He said that the government is committed to making primary healthcare work again in the State, adding that, every community deserves access to quality medical services. “We are ensuring that happens by revamping all 244 PHCs,” he declared.

The Governor also used the occasion to call on traditional leaders, stakeholders, and parents to support the SMC campaign by mobilising families to ensure that every eligible child receives the anti-malaria drugs.

To support the smooth rollout of the campaign, the government has provided motorcycles to Roll Back Malaria officers across all 23 local government areas.

In addition, plans are underway to upgrade the state’s Malaria Elimination Agency’s External Quality Assessment (EQA) referral centre to make it ‘one of the best in Nigeria’.

The representative of the Sultan of Sokoto and District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Alhassan Cigari, welcomed the campaign and the renewed attention to healthcare infrastructure.

He commended the administration’s response and reaffirmed the commitment of traditional institutions to support efforts that protect the health of the population.

“This campaign will go a long way in reducing malaria-related deaths among children in our communities. We stand ready to support every initiative that benefits the people,” he said.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, assured that all logistical and medical requirements for the SMC rollout had been met. He emphasized that the government is prioritising preventive healthcare and community-based interventions.

Sokoto Govt Rehabilitates 244 PHCs After THE WHISTLER Report is first published on The Whistler Newspaper