In Bauchi State, every life counts

Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, Governor of Bauchi State, was a two-time Commissioner of Justice and a legal practitioner of note before his foray into politics. Looking at his resume, one would pray to be as lucky as he is. In line with the objective of his administration in having a healthy society free from communicable […]

Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, Governor of Bauchi State, was a two-time Commissioner of Justice and a legal practitioner of note before his foray into politics. Looking at his resume, one would pray to be as lucky as he is.
In line with the objective of his administration in having a healthy society free from communicable and non-communicable diseases, he launched the Five Point Health Agenda in September, 2015 which is aimed at strengthening of the Primary Health Care services with particular emphasis on diseases affecting the maternal, new born and child population as well as routine immunization exercise.
Since then, the Bauchi State helmsman has been doing his best in building a high performing health care system that will be the best in terms of accessibility and meeting the vast majority of peoples’ health needs.
His current efforts reinforce his avowed commitment to citizens’ right to health, especially Basic Health Care Provision which explains why he is taking deliberate steps to pursue public health improvements and ensure rapid progress towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with the National Health Act enacted in 2014. 
The state is also confronting headlong, the problems of lack of accurate data and vital statistics that made proper planning difficult in the past.
Some of the problems that were faced in the past include lack of accurate data and vital statistics which made planning very difficult. The Governor Abubakar administration in Bauchi State has put in place robust health information system that will ensure effective resource allocation and utilisation.
Nothing gives credence to the seriousness of the current administration than the fact that adequate provision has been made in the 2016 budget that would ensure better health outcomes, going forward.
The move has motivated the health sector workforce in the state and has caused corresponding improvements to the health management system, thereby repositioning Bauchi State to deliver significantly improved health outcomes.
Patient-feeding and fuelling of generators in general hospitals and other health facilities in the state have been resuscitated to ensure efficiency in the running of health facilities in the state.
That’s not all. The Governor Abubakar administration has facilitated the accreditation of courses offered at the State College of Nursing and Midwifery; as well as Dental Health Services training at the State College of Health Technology Ningi.
The state has also benefitted from collaboration with Al-Basar International Foundation which has so far organised free eye treatment to about 10,000 eye patients.
The modest achievements of the Governor of Bauchi State in the last ten months in the health sector have already started attracting acclamation from key stakeholders in the sector. Only a few weeks ago, Governor Abubakar received an official commendation from Mr. Bill Gates, the proprietor of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in which he appreciated the effort of the state government in the routine immunization programme and the implementation of Primary Health Care under one roof.
Ismaila Garba, a health worker, wrote from Toro, Bauchi State.