Health stakeholders have called on the Bauchi State Government to release funds budgeted for Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) activities in Primary Health Care (PHC) centres to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
WikkiTimes reports that various health stakeholders from across Bauchi convened for a multi-stakeholder parley organized by the Health System Strengthening Cluster of SCALE, a USAID-funded initiative aimed at improving healthcare delivery through robust data collection and usage.
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Speaking at the event, Mr Nkem Ogbonna expressed concern over the non-release of ISS funds for the first quarter of the 2024 Bauchi budget. He advocated for synergy among relevant health MDAs conducting facility supervision to eliminate duplication of efforts and enhance cost efficiency.
Mr. Ogbonna emphasized the need to create an expanded ISS technical working group to ensure that outcomes are effectively used to mobilize resources and address gaps in the state’s healthcare system.
He highlighted challenges such as high transportation costs, dwindling resources, the retirement of trained supervisors, inadequate human resources for health, and limited facility coverage due to resource constraints. These issues, he noted, hinder the smooth conduct of ISS in Bauchi and require timely intervention.
