The government of Gombe State has vowed to remain committed to the provision of improved health care service to its citizens in line with the governor’s campaign promises.
The position of the government was re-echoed at the twin ceremony of handing and taking over of 10 revitalized Primary Health Care centres in Kwami by UNICEF and official flag-off of Basic Health Care Provision Fund in the state, which took place at Primary Health Care Centre, Daban Fulani in Kwami Local Government Area.
The State Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, who represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the occasion, said the administration’s commitment to providing quality health care was because of the importance of health as number one after security.
He explained that the flag-off of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Program was significant and a testimony of government’s commitment towards the provision of basic health care services to the people.
To this end, he added that, the administration has effected payment of 100 million naira counterpart fund, and that it is flagging off the commencement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in the state with the disbursement of funds to all the 114 PHCs which is to be used for the maintenance of the facilities.
The Deputy Governor further said” in the same vein, we are flagging off the enrolment of over 25000 poor and vulnerable persons to enjoy access to the basic minimum package of health services including referrals for secondary services where possible at no cost to the beneficiaries.
Mr. Jatau called on the health administrators to consider the cultural aspect of the people in formulating the health policies and in the provision of healthcare services for successful quality health care. He also called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity, to protect themselves and the facilities for sustainable program towards reducing health issues especially maternal and infant mortality rate.
Earlier in his remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund targets the poor and the vulnerable towards ensuring every resident of Gombe irrespective of any differences have equitable access to quality health care services.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary/ CEO National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Mohammed Nadir Rambo said Universal Health Coverage is a top priority of global health agenda, and is a leading component of the health sector next level agenda of President Buhari.
He commended Gombe state government for keying into the president’s program by successfully meeting the conditions of Basic Health Care Provision Fund, hence the flagging off of the program, nothing that the Federal Government shall provide the state with Technical and operational support, especially in the area of training, technology and program development.
The UNICEF Chief, Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Bhanu Phathak said his organization is working closely with Gombe State to ensure every one have equitable access to improved, qualitative, healthy life practices through their health interventions.
He disclosed that UNICEF has in the last two years invested over four hundred million naira in the health sector of the state, adding that UNICEF has received a million US Dollars from China to assist developing countries in significantly reducing maternal , new born and child mortality morbidity, among others.
