Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday launched the States Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, with the disbursement of N418m to 79 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the State.
The ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri, with the participation of Zulum, the Minister of State for Health, who was represented, as well as the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA), and other healthcare stakeholders.
The Fund, with a total of N418, 941,339.70, is meant for primary healthcare centres to sustainably procure drugs, some medical consumables, and also fund some human resource and managerial needs for a period of time from now to the 2022 calendar year.
The 79 selected PHCs were allocated different sums, depending on their sizes, number of beds, nature of services, and estimated population of patients. Some PHCs with more number of beds and healthcare workers are established to serve more patients, especially in communities with a high population of residents and fewer alternative healthcare institutions nearby.
Zulums launch of the N418m Fund was in addition to an earlier release of over N300m for the procurement of drugs distributed to PHCs located in low-income communities, the Governor said. He added that the State has sustained its provision of free maternal healthcare services to residents.
The Executive Secretary of Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, who hosted the launch, said the agency has enrolled over 35,000 residents for the contributory health scheme. He said the agency particularly targeted vulnerable populations made up of physically-challenged persons, children below five years, pregnant women and low cadre civil servants.
Speaking at the Maiduguri launch, Minister of State for Health, Dr. (Sen.) Adeleke Olorunmi Mamora, said, The Federal Ministry of Health is fully aware of the exceptional efforts Your Excellency (Governor Zulum) is making to develop the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in Borno State.
Represented by the CMD of UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, the Minister cited Zulum’s ongoing construction of the Borno State University Teaching Hospital and the establishment of a medical college, as well as the construction of numerous primary healthcare centres, upgrading and modernization of existing hospitals and equipping them with medical workers, diagnosing equipment and drugs.
The Minister directed the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), to support the Borno State Contributory Health Care Management Agency. The events Chairman, who is the President, Commonwealth Medical Association and also President-Elect, World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele commended Bornos continued successes in healthcare development.
