By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has reaffirmed his government ’s determination and commitment as well electioneering campaign promises to the people of Borno to improve on the availability, standard and quality of healthcare delivery services and its facilities across the 27 LGCs in the state.
Governor Zulum made the pledge during the state council meeting on Health forum, with a theme: “Strengthening health system in a post conflict and fragile setting”, which was held at The Musa Usman State Secretariat International Conference Hall, Maiduguri.
Zulum, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Umar Kadufur, said his government will continue to improve on the inadequate human resource and unskilled healthcare workers.
He reiterated that the Boko Haram insurgents has destroyed health infrastructures where out of the 743 health facilities, over 250 of these facilities have been destroyed while another 200 health facilities were vandalized
Zulum added that deliberate efforts were made to reinvigorate the health sector which include construction of over 60 primary healthcare centres across the state, recruitment of health person both medical doctors, nurses and midwives to bridge the gap on human resources at the health facilities including upgrading their salaries and allowances, among others.
“We have sponsored post graduate training for doctors and other health workers, upgraded the two health tertiary institutions and established the Borno State University Teaching Hospital which is at completing stage. We have provided state-of-the-art equipment to the hospital and incentives to doctors and health workers”, Zulum said.
The State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Mohammed Arab Alhaji said as officials of the state ministry of health and other stakeholders converged in Maiduguri to deliberate on ways to strengthen the health system with the emerging peace and gradual return of permanent peace in the state, was a good development.
He noted that the Council is the highest decision making body of health and would help to guide government’s planning and policy formulation.
“It is visible that this administration has stepped up efforts for effective and efficient service delivery including provision of free maternal drugs and revival of the moribund drug, revolving fund scheme, introduction of welfare packages for health workers including construction of staff quarters, payment of rural allowances and upward review of remuneration and retirement age”, Arab said.
The guest lecturer at the forum meeting, Dr Shehu Sule, however, commended the state Governor for his efforts in reviving the health sector while calling for proper management and control of health finances, machinery and regular training and capacity building for the health workers at all levels.
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