By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
Bauchi State government has ensured the motivation, retention and retraining of front line health workers for effective and quality health service delivery, just as it has completed the accreditation processes of nurses and midwives in State College of Nursing and Midwifery which commenced academic activities this year.
Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar who stated this at the launch of the first state Resources for the Awareness of Impact of Population on development, RAPID, said the project will help the State have better understanding of the impact of population growth on “our health indices in particular and healthcare delivery services in general so that we can adopt strategies to overcome the challenges”.
He said since the inauguration of his administration in 2015, the State had witnessed tremendous achievements in the health sector, which include allocation of 16 % of its total budget to the health sector and articulation of its health care manifesto in a five point health agenda which gives direction to all interventions, to improve access to healthcare services and reduce infant and maternal mortality in the State.
The governor explained that his administration’s five point health agenda to include strengthening primary healthcare including routine immunization and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services, with free maternal and under five healthcare services.
Other points, the governor enumerated are continuous sponsorship of the maternal, neonatal and child health week to provide free essential healthcare services at the grassroots, and full implementation of primary healthcare under one roof.
“With the implementation of primary healthcare under one roof, the Agency now controls all personnel issues such as recruitment, promotion, discipline, training and retirement”, Governor Abubakar said.
Outlining the achievements of his administration in health sector, Governor Abubakar listed access to quality life and cost effective essential and life-saving drugs, including consumables and laboratory services as well as the provision of essential hospital items and commodities through provision of medical equipment to 10 general hospitals.
The governor also disclosed that the 17 million naira released to the State Drug Revolving Scheme to sustain the procurement of essential drugs has led to a turnover of over 80 million naira in less than two years.
From June 2015, the administration has constructed 19 primary healthcare centres complete with accommodation and solar-powered boreholes, primary healthcare facilities, and conducted free gynecological cancer screening campaign for over 1,100 women and free treatment to those found with pathology.
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