By Toheeb Omotayo
The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations, reaffirming its resolve to expand free and subsidised services across the state.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat, following the flag-off of a three-day capacity building programme for health workers in Ilorin.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said a significant number of vulnerable residents are already benefiting from government-backed healthcare interventions.
She said, “We have a sizeable number of vulnerable individuals currently benefitting from the government’s free and subsidised healthcare services through various programmes.”
El-Imam noted that the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has demonstrated strong political will in prioritising the health needs of underserved populations.
“The present administration has shown unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access, especially for vulnerable groups across the state,” she added.
The commissioner also acknowledged the government’s consistency in funding key health initiatives, particularly the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which has sustained the state’s eligibility for federal reimbursements.
“Our consistent counterpart funding to the BHCPF programme has ensured that Kwara remains eligible for federal reimbursements, strengthening our healthcare financing framework,” El-Imam explained.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to strengthening primary healthcare through strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and sustainable financing systems.
According to El-Imam, the capacity-building workshops are focused on the Revised BHCPF Operational Guidelines and Facility-Based BHCPF Fund Management, aimed at enhancing service delivery at the grassroots.
“These workshops are designed to deepen understanding of the revised operational guidelines and improve fund management at the facility level,” she said.
El-Imam further explained that recent revisions to the BHCPF guidelines have broadened participation, reinforced accountability mechanisms, and introduced improved procedures for fund disbursement.
“The revisions are far-reaching and require a deeper level of understanding from all stakeholders involved in the implementation and management of the fund,” she noted.
El-Imam stressed that effective healthcare delivery depends on both awareness and technical expertise among stakeholders across all tiers of government.
“Our healthcare system operates as an interconnected chain from the federal level to the states, local governments, and health facilities, and its strength lies in the capacity of each level to perform effectively,” she stated.
Highlighting the importance of frontline service delivery, she described health facilities as the critical point where policies translate into tangible outcomes for citizens.
“Without sustained capacity building, even the best-designed policies may fail to achieve their intended impact at the facility level,” she cautioned.
The commissioner urged participants to actively engage in the training sessions, noting that the programme is designed to provide practical knowledge for efficient fund management and improved healthcare services.
“The goal is not just knowledge transfer but practical understanding that will enable participants to deliver quality healthcare and manage resources effectively,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the workshops would strengthen the capacity of health workers and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in Kwara State.
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