Bauchi govt launches free medical care for children under five

Bauchi State government has launched a five points health agenda tagged ‘Lafiya Garkuwa’ for effective healthcare delivery in the state. According to the state government, the five points agenda includes; Strengthening of primary health care including routine immunisation and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services; access to quality and cost effective essential drugs including […]

Bauchi State government has launched a five points health agenda tagged ‘Lafiya Garkuwa’ for effective healthcare delivery in the state.
According to the state government, the five points agenda includes; Strengthening of primary health care including routine immunisation and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services; access to quality and cost effective essential drugs including consumables and laboratory service.
Other areas covered by the health agenda includes; motivation, retention and re-training of frontline health workers for effective and quality service delivery; improving funding to health sector through innovative financing mechanisms, accountability and transparency and creation vis health education, awareness creation and strategic communication.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar said that his administration has decided to give the state’s healthcare sector the attention it deserves in order to improve its delivery system for the benefit of the people of the state.
He said as part of the effort, the government has commissioned a study to assess the entire Bauchi State’s healthcare sector to identify all the challenges.
The governor also said that the state government has also paid 160 million counterpart fund for the MOU it signed with the Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundation to fight polio in the state, and strengthen the state’s Drugs Revolving Scheme by releasing 87 million Naira for the purchase of essential drugs.
He said that the state government will also provide free medical treatment for children under five years in order to reduce infant mortality rate in the state.
Also speaking, the representatives of World Health Organisation (WHO) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Adamu Ningi and Dr. Umar Adamu respectively commended the state government on its cooperation with international partners to tackle healthcare challenges in the state.