By Passman Akpos
The Bayelsa State Government has announced Yenagoa Local Government Area as the overall winner of the 2026 Local Government Areas Primary Healthcare (PHC) Challenge, with Ogbia Local Government Area emerging as the first runner-up.
The competition, organised by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board, was held at the Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme Complex in Yenagoa to recognise excellence in grassroots healthcare delivery across the state’s eight local government areas.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Governor Douye Diri, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Seiyefa Brisibe, announced that Yenagoa emerged as the best-performing LGA in primary healthcare service delivery, while Ogbia secured second place.
Professor Brisibe explained that the PHC Challenge was designed to reward local governments that demonstrated exceptional commitment to delivering quality primary healthcare services, while encouraging healthy competition and innovation in the health sector.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen Bayelsa’s primary healthcare system and significantly improve health outcomes across communities.
According to him, the objectives of the challenge include strengthening grassroots healthcare, improving maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services, increasing immunisation coverage, preventing diseases, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, and promoting accountability and innovation in service delivery.
The commissioner praised Governor Diri for prioritising healthcare under the state’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda, describing his leadership as instrumental in driving reforms aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare for residents.
“I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, for his unwavering commitment to transforming the health sector and for making healthcare development a major priority under the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda. His visionary leadership continues to inspire us to do more for the people of Bayelsa State,” Brisibe said.
As part of the rewards, Yenagoa LGA received a ₦10 million prize as the overall winner, while Ogbia LGA was presented with ₦5 million for finishing as the first runner-up.
Brisibe urged the winning councils to invest the prize money in strengthening primary healthcare facilities and services to ensure every community has access to affordable, quality and people-centred healthcare.
He also called on all local government chairmen in the state to remain committed to improving health indices and delivering better healthcare outcomes for Bayelsans.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards and rewarded cheques to the winning local government areas, reinforcing the state’s commitment to promoting excellence in primary healthcare delivery.
