The Oyo State Government has improved the service delivery of its Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) with the distribution of new mobile phones and directories to 66 facilities.
The distribution, which was facilitated by First Health Dynamic Synergy International Limited, was carried out in partnership with the Oyo State Government.
Its goal is to strengthen service delivery and improve disease surveillance at the community level.
The company’s CEO, Professor Temitope Alonge, said during the presentation in Ibadan on Thursday that the devices would allow APSs to communicate with each other more efficiently and handle multiple calls simultaneously.
“PHC is the first point of contact for most people, so ensuring reliable communication is essential for effective healthcare,” Alonge said.
He noted that improved network links would allow facilities to alert authorities more quickly during outbreaks.
“As we enter the dry season, when the risk of Lassa fever increases, this will help prevent the type of crisis we experienced a few years ago,” he added.
Professor Alonge explained that the selected primary care centers had previously undergone improvements after an assessment revealed persistent operational challenges.
According to him, the facilities were chosen based on criteria such as patient volume, triage level, and access to stable electricity and water.
“We identified 66 primary health care centers, two in each local government, and upgraded them in three phases,” he said.
Alonge said all the centers are now powered by a 10kV solar inverter system to provide uninterrupted power, while each has been equipped with a red brick incinerator for safe waste disposal.
He said they were also provided with computer tablets to support digital record keeping and real-time data collection.
“The health solution we are introducing now aims to complement the government’s investment by improving communication and responsiveness,” he said.
In her remark, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, commended the effort, describing it as a valuable innovation that aligns with the state government’s commitment to strengthening primary health care.
He said Governor Seyi Makinde had prioritized an enabling environment to improve healthcare across the state, noting that better communication at the primary healthcare level would support that objective.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Akindeyi Bolanle of Ofa Igbo PHC in Lagelu Local Government, said the support would greatly improve emergency response and routine coordination.
“The communication device will allow us to communicate with each other easily in emergencies. It will raise the level of our facilities and improve the way primary care centers interact across the state,” he said.
Ajetunmobi expressed gratitude to the state government, the Ministry of Health and Professor Alonge for the intervention.
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