Eleven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across nine LGAs of Bauchi State have been selected for complete upgrades for effective and efficient healthcare service delivery in the rural communities.
The selected facilities were handed over to the contractors in an elaborate ceremony held on Monday at the Polio Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Bauchi.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Bauchi state government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), involving revitalisation, aiming to strengthen primary healthcare systems for children and mothers.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Mohammad Dambam, described the move as the largest overhaul of primary healthcare facilities in the state’s history.
He attributed it to the State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed’s dedication to healthcare delivery services as demonstrated by the special attention paid to the health sector by ensuring that 15 per cent of the annual budget was allocated to the sector in line with the Abuja Declaration.
Sani Mohammed Dambam praised the Governor’s efforts, noting that the health sector has never had it so good as now, stressing that both physical structures and equipment have received desired attention.
The Commissioner also thanked UNICEF and WHO for their contributions to the health sector through various interventions and funding, which have upgraded healthcare delivery services in the state.
In her remarks, Chief of Field Office (CFO), Bauchi Field Office (BFO), UNICEF, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, stated, “I’m really happy. Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to hand over these facilities. Under the leadership on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner of Health, I’m really grateful for this time and opportunity. Thank you very much.
“And I would not forget to say my highest gratitude and thanks to His Excellency, the Governor, because without him, the leadership is not the thing. So he is the one who is leading the State and leading very dynamically, passionately, and fulfilling his duties for the people of Bauchi. And thanks to the state government of Bauchi.
“Today, UNICEF is happy to start this initiative of 11 primary healthcare facilities revitalisation and mainly focus on primary healthcare service delivery sites, solarisation, and water supply in the facilities. So the patient can really benefit.
“So the scope of work mainly remains the service delivery area. And with all the facilities which are required for infection prevention and control, there are nine LGAs in Bauchi, covering 11 primary healthcare facilities.
“And especially congratulations to Ganjuwa and Ningi. They have two facilities each. The rest of the LGAs have one facility each. But one or two does not make a difference. What makes a difference is your commitment to the mothers and children who will come there. And the commitment of my counterpart, the company, who is going to work there.
“So, mainly, this handing over of the LGAs is for you people to start the work when the facilities are empty and handed over to you in the field, which will come very, very soon. So, the first stage of 11 handing over today is starting this process. And we all wish that this process goes very quickly.
“As Dr Rilwanu said, it’s not easy to close a facility. You know, in a country where every day, many women, many newborns, many children die, it’s not easy to close the facility for even one hour. We cannot afford it. But if, for the betterment of those children, women and mothers and newborns, we are doing it, we should do it very efficiently and very effectively. So it can serve the purpose better than before.
“It is my humble request from the company that please, keep all the protocols in place. Comply with them when you are working at the facilities. And in charge of the facilities, also to build these facilities like your own home, take care of them. Take care of the people who are working there.
“For company people, there are protocols, very clear protocols, thanks to our construction specialists, Madam Tripal and Grace and their team. Excellent work. They have all your guidance for the occupational health and safety when they work on the facilities, and I want these documents to be shared with the company, as well as the PHC facilities’ In-charges, because they are the ones who know the communities around. The communities will be coming. They will be around the PHCs when they are being constructed.
“So, you people should also know what compliance is required from the builder, from the rehabilitator. So when they are working, what type of safety measures do they need to take? So no child, no person from the community is negatively impacted by this process. Their protection is very, very important for us.
“Each and every person in the community is our family, is our accountability, is our loved one. So we cannot afford to put any child’s life in danger. So he comes and plays around, and he is being injured by anything, by nails, by wood, by a piece of the roof or anything. So that is very important.
The second very important point is the quality of construction. We all have to see that it’s a shared responsibility, not only the people at the back, but everyone has to contribute to ensuring, monitoring, and taking responsibility to ensure that all the constructions are done with good quality.
“Water must flow, water availability is ensured, solarisation, light, everything should be 100% functional by the end of the three-month period. And I’ll come to most of the facilities. I’ll try my level best to come everywhere and hand over to the Facilities In-charges myself and my team at whatever point possible.
“And I’m looking forward to that time, when Supal will be with us again, and under the leadership of Dr Rilvanu, we will be able to complete all the 11 facilities. Thank you very much.”
In his vote of thanks, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, thanked UNICEF for approving the facilities for revitalisation and complete turnaround.
He expressed delight at the project’s commencement, which he said came at the right time when such was needed in the state, considering the increase in the population of the State.
Rilwanu Mohammed further commended the UNICEF and others involved in the project for accepting all eleven facilities presented by the state, saying that other states were not that lucky.
He then assured that the state will cooperate and support the contractors in ensuring that the project is executed accurately and according to the specifications.
Speaking on behalf of the 20 Councils Chairpersons, Chairman of Bauchi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mahmood Babamaji, thanked UNICEF and partners for the project.
He assured that when completed, the project will bring effective and efficient service delivery to the doorsteps of the people in rural areas where the facilities are located.
Mahmood Babamaji, who is the Chairperson of Bauchi LGC, assured that ALGON will continue to support Governor Bala , in service delivery for the good of the citizens.
The PHCs to be revitalised include Alkaleri Town PHC in Alkaleri West Ward of Alkaleri LGA, Tashan Babiye PHC in Dankade Ward, Bauchi LGA, Kubdiya PHC in Kubdiya Ward of Gamawa LGA, Sabuwar Kariya PHC in Kariya A. Ward of Ganjuwa LGA, and Miya MPHC in Miya Ward of Ganjuwa LGA.
Others are Kashuri (Mat) Primary H/Clinic in Kashuri Ward of Itas -Gadau LGA, Tatari Ali PHC in Tsakuwa Ward of Katagum LGA, Balma H/Clinic in Balma Ward of Ningi LGA, Jimi H/clinic in Kudu Yamma Ward of Ningi LGA, Andubun PHC in Andubun Ward of Shira LGA, as well as PHC Zalau in Zalau Ward of Toro LGA.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
