Bauchi gets N10bn maternal, newborn healthcare intervention

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The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn healthcare equipment, commodities and delivery kits worth N10bn to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in Bauchi State.

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The intervention, unveiled on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through the provision of medical equipment, ambulances, maternity kits and essential drugs to healthcare facilities across the state.

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Speaking during the ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the intervention formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

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Pate disclosed that the Federal Government had invested about N10bn in Bauchi through the programme, noting that the state had continued to benefit from several health sector interventions under the current administration.

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He listed some of the interventions to include the establishment and upgrade of federal health institutions, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, training of frontline health workers and provision of critical healthcare infrastructure.

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According to him, 20 primary healthcare centres across 15 local government areas will receive labour and delivery equipment, including suction machines, oxygen concentrators, blood pressure monitors and newborn care equipment.

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He added that the intervention also includes 17,000 maternity kits for pregnant women, essential drugs and medical commodities, 15 tricycle ambulances for rural communities and six conventional ambulances to improve emergency referrals.

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Pate explained that the maternity kits would ease the financial burden on expectant mothers by providing essential items needed for safe delivery, while all medical commodities would be supplied free of charge.

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He urged healthcare workers and facility managers to ensure that the equipment and commodities were used strictly for their intended purposes.

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“Do not divert these items or charge patients for services that have been provided free by the government. There should be no under-the-table payments,” the minister warned.

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He added that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had been mandated to monitor the utilisation of the equipment to prevent diversion.

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The minister also announced that the first batch of National Health Fellows from Bauchi had been absorbed into the Federal Civil Service, while another cohort had commenced the programme, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.

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In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state.

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He said the equipment, ambulances and medical commodities would significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly in underserved rural communities.

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The governor noted that his administration had upgraded 138 primary healthcare centres to Level II status, constructed three general hospitals and was rehabilitating the Bauchi Specialist Hospital.

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He added that the state had installed solar-powered systems in several hospitals, distributed over 64,000 Mama Kits free of charge and recruited thousands of healthcare workers to improve service delivery.

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Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to funding the health sector, stating that Bauchi consistently allocates at least 15 per cent of its annual budget to healthcare in line with international recommendations.

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Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Emirate Committee on Health and Emir of Dass, Usman Bilyaminu, thanked the Federal Government for prioritising maternal and child healthcare.

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The traditional ruler commended Pate for championing reforms that were improving access to quality healthcare and lauded Mohammed for investing in health infrastructure, recruiting skilled personnel and meeting counterpart funding obligations for healthcare programmes.

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He pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in mobilising communities to embrace maternal, newborn and child healthcare services across the state.

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The PUNCH reports that the event included the graduation ceremony of National Health Fellows Cohort I and the inauguration of Cohort II of the fellows.

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