Bauchi State Government has announced the deposition of 200 million naira out of the 339 million naira budgeted for this year’s State Basket Fund Contribution.
The State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed announced this at the 2019 Mid-Year Review Meeting on Strengthening Bauchi State Primary Healthcare, Via Video Conference held at Emergency Operations Center Bauchi.
Governor Bala Mohammed who assured that the remaining amount would soon be deposited, said the present MOU need to be re-negotiated in order to align with the state’s newly costed minimum service package for primary healthcare.
He reiterated the determination of his administration towards re-invigorating the healthcare delivery services especially at the primary healthcare level as part of efforts to address the challenges facing the sector.
The Governor pledged to ensure timely release of counterpart funding for polio eradication and tasked stakeholders in the health sector to focus attention on improving the quality of data as government is improving its coverage indicators.
Governor Bala Mohammed said as part of his administration’s partnership, he considered credible leadership, dependable management and good governance as formula for success in addition to proper deployment of health workers.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Yahaya Yarima recalled that the health MOU was signed last year with a view to improving primary healthcare and strengthen health system as well as ensure integrated healthcare service delivery in the state.
The Permanent Secretary appealed for timely release of 19 million naira counterpart funding for polio campaigns, redistribution and recruitment of qualified health workers to fill existing human resources gaps.
The Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman who is the Chairman Emirate Councils on Health, pledged the continued support of traditional leaders towards strengthening primary healthcare in the state.
Others who spoke at the occasion, are the USAID Mission Director, Mr Stephen M Haykin, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Pernille Ironside, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Bill Gates and Alhaji Bashir Maidabino of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency
