Bauchi gov approves N872m PHC counterpart fund for 2025

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has approved the release of ₦872 million as the state’s counterpart funding for the Primary Healthcare Basket for the 2025 fiscal year.

The disclosure was made by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, during the 1st Quarter meeting of the State Taskforce on Primary Healthcare and the award presentation, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi.

Auwal Jatau, who chairs the Taskforce, announced that ₦261,708,491.00 has already been released to the Bauchi PHC Board as part of the state government’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare services, improving health infrastructure, and supporting frontline workers. This ensures that citizens, regardless of location or status, receive the healthcare services they need.

He stated: “In our meeting today, we will review the progress achieved in the implementation of the agreed action points from the Annual Primary Health Care Retreat. We will also update members on the Quarter 1, 2025 PHC Annual Operational Plan and the upcoming April 2025 National Immunisation Polio Days (NIPDs).”

Expressing gratitude, he added: “I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all the health workers, local government health teams, facility managers, and community volunteers who have worked tirelessly and passionately to ensure healthcare delivery in our state continues to improve steadily. Your dedication is the backbone of our progress in primary healthcare.

“Today’s awards are a token of our immense appreciation to all the recipients. As a government, we will continue to introduce laudable programmes and investments aimed at improving the health and well-being of our citizens in both rural and urban areas, with a focus on women and children.”

The Deputy Governor reassured stakeholders that Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration is determined to ensure that the necessary funding is provided to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the state.

He also expressed his gratitude to development partners for their technical support, financial contributions, and collaborative efforts, which have significantly strengthened the state’s healthcare system. He emphasised the need for renewed commitment towards building a healthier Bauchi State.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Muhammad Sani Danbam, expressed the state government’s readiness to recruit no fewer than 3,000 health workers, who will be distributed across health facilities in the state.

Dr Sani Danbam urged the award recipients to see the awards as a morale booster and to redouble their efforts to improve service delivery. He also appreciated the state government for giving the healthcare sector the much-needed attention.

UNICEF Health Officer Patrick Akor, representing the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, reassured attendees that the organisation would continue to support the state government in improving healthcare service delivery at all levels.

He unveiled ongoing UNICEF programmes designed to boost health services in Bauchi State.

The Co-chair of the State Taskforce Committee on Primary Healthcare and Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, commended the milestones achieved in implementing healthcare programmes in the state.

He congratulated the award recipients and urged them to reciprocate the state’s kind gesture by working harder to ensure effective and efficient healthcare service delivery at their respective facilities.

The Emir also reiterated the commitment of traditional institutions to the upcoming Polio campaign. He assured that all traditional rulers would actively participate in mobilisation and the exercise itself.

He expressed satisfaction that traditional rulers have been entrusted with the responsibility of selecting the teams that will carry out the immunisation exercise.

Awards were presented to the best-performing primary healthcare centres, the best-performing local government councils, as well as the best-performing local government chairpersons for the 2024 fiscal year. These awards recognised their dedication to improving healthcare service delivery in their areas of primary assignment.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE