Bauchi gov reiterates commitment to improving healthcare delivery services

Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has reiterated the determination of his administration towards re-invigorating the healthcare delivery services, especially at the primary healthcare level as part of efforts to address the challenges facing the sector.

The Governor also announced the release of the sum of N200 million out of the N339 million budgeted for the year 2019 State Basket Fund Contribution to the Gates and Melinda Foundation intervention in the health sector.

Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed announced this at the 2019 Mid-Year Review Meeting on Strengthening Bauchi State Primary Healthcare, Via Video Conference held at the Emergency Operations Center, Bauchi.

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The Governor who assured that the remaining amount would soon be deposited said that the present MOU needed to be re-negotiated in order to align with the state’s newly costed minimum service for Primary healthcare delivery services.

He further pledged to ensure timely release of counterpart funding for Polio eradication and tasked stakeholders in the health sector to focus attention on improving the quality of data as the government is improving its coverage indicators.

Bala Mohammed also said that as part of his administration’s partnership, he considered credible leadership, dependable management and good governance as a formula for success in addition to proper deployment of health workers.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr Yahaya Yarima recalled that the Health MOU was signed last year with a view to improve Primary healthcare and strengthen health system as well as ensure integrated healthcare service delivery in the state.

The Permanent Secretary said the state currently has some challenges with financial management which include among others, the untimely release of state basket funds for implementation of primary healthcare activities, delays in recouping of unutilised funds for health facilities and late submission of expenditure retirements from the health facilities.

He then appealed for timely release of N19 million counterpart funding for Polio campaigns and redistribution and recruitment of qualified health workers to fill existing human resources gaps.

The Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman who is the Chairman Emirate Councils on Health, pledged the continued support of traditional leaders towards strengthening primary healthcare in the state.

Others who spoke at the occasion, are the USAID Mission Director, Mr Stephen M Haykin, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Pernille Ironside, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Bill Gates and Alhaji Bashir Maidabino of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.