Bauchi govt commends UNICEF, partners for healthcare support

Bauchi State Government has commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners for their support in improving healthcare delivery services in the state.

The commendation was made by the State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, while receiving the multi-billion-naira Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Plant and Level 2 Newborn Unit constructed and donated by UNICEF in collaboration with IHS Canada at the General Hospital, Azare, on Tuesday.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Auwal Jatau, Bala Mohammed, at the occasion, told UNICEF, “Your commitment to improving the health of the people of Bauchi State is highly commendable and will not go unnoticed.”

He prayed that the facility will assist in reinforcing his government’s objective of providing accessible healthcare to all, saying that the Medical Oxygen Plant will ensure that patients who require oxygen therapy can receive it in a timely and efficient manner, thus improving patient outcomes and alleviating the burdens on dedicated healthcare professionals.

The Governor requested UNICEF’s additional support to provide solar energy facilities to the General Hospital Azare and the Medical Oxygen Plant, saying that it will go a long way in addressing the challenges of erratic power supply and ensuring the sustainability of the Medical Oxygen Plant.

He also urged UNICEF to establish a befitting Special Baby Care Unit at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, adding that it will be linked to an already established Medical Oxygen Plant constructed by the State Government in that hospital.

He commended UNICEF for supporting the state in establishing climate-resilient PHCs in Bauchi by providing solar energy facilities for 20 PHCs.

Bala Mohammed appealed to the operators of the oxygen plant to ensure that the facilities operate optimally.

The Governor said: “The commissioning of this medical oxygen plant signifies our determination to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with such conditions.”

He stressed, “With this facility, we are not only expanding the capacity of General Hospital Azare as a secondary healthcare facility but also positively transforming the healthcare landscape of Bauchi State and our neighbouring states.”

The Governor added that “Healthcare is a fundamental right, and it is our duty as a government to ensure that our citizens have access to quality medical services. We understand the myriad of challenges facing our health sector, which include limited medical human resources, inadequate infrastructure, and equipment.”

“Consequently, we have prioritised healthcare in our development agenda. The launch of this medical oxygen plant is a testament to our commitment,” he said.

Bala Mohammed stated that since the inception of his administration, he declared a state of emergency in the health sector, which meant that some bureaucratic protocols were bypassed to achieve the desired goals in the health sector.

He added that “We have also convened the First Comprehensive Health Summit, which drew the blueprint for our health sector.” Likewise, we have been consistently allocating over 15% of our annual budget to the health sector in line with the ‘Abuja Declaration’.”

According to him, “Similarly, we have re-commenced the Pre-Service Programme for Health Students in Tertiary Training Institutions as well as lifting the embargo on recruitment in the health sector and renovating most of our health facilities, among other efforts.”

He also noted that the provision of high-quality oxygen therapy has been a serious challenge in the Nigerian health system, including the non-availability of biomedical equipment and trained personnel in that area.

The Director of Business Analysis at IHS Nigeria, Sadisu Barau Jibrin, in a goodwill message, noted that the facility represents not just a milestone in their partnership with UNICEF and the healthcare community but a tangible step toward transforming healthcare delivery in the Northern Nigeria region and beyond.

Sadisu Jibrin said that the facility symbolised hope, resilience, and a shared commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of Azare, the surrounding communities, and the state in general. He described accessibility to medical oxygen as an absolute necessity, particularly for the vulnerable demographic of society such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

He explained that their commitment to supporting the strengthening of public health infrastructure is deeply embedded in the values at IHS, saying that the initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to partner with local and global organisations to enhance healthcare infrastructure across the country.

“The significance of this oxygen plant goes beyond its physical infrastructure; it is a cornerstone in building stronger healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas. Through these efforts, we aim to improve patient outcomes, ensure sustainable healthcare delivery, and contribute to long-term social and economic well-being,” Jibrin concluded.

In a welcome address, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Muhammad Sani Dambam, disclosed that over N1 billion was spent to construct and equip the oxygen plant.

Sani Dambam also said that before the arrival of the facility, residents depended on neighbouring Kano State for oxygen.

He mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the state’s oxygen capacity was inadequate, which led to the establishment of oxygen plants at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, respectively.

The Commissioner disclosed that two additional oxygen plants are in the pipeline to be established in Ningi and Tafawa Balewa.

According to him, “The oxygen plant being handed over today is not going to be totally free but highly subsidised,” he stated, warning that the state government will not tolerate any form of mismanagement of the facility.

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