Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni has on Tuesday inaugurated 138 upgraded, rehabilitated and constructed Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across the 17 local government areas in the state.
Governor Buni also launched additional 88 customised tricycle ambulance for transporting expectant mothers in the state.
Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony, Governor Buni said, the upgrading rehabilitation and construction of the Primary Health Care centres became necessary following mass destruction of public structures including health facilities, schools, electricity, and water sources by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He stated that the present administration in the state is determined to reform the health sector generally for a total transformation in healthcare delivery across the state.
“I am glad to inform this gathering that we have successfully completd the construction,rehabilitation and upgrading of 138 Primary Healthcare centers out of the proposed 178 centres for each political ward, and we are here today to officially commission the Gwange Primary Healthcare Centre.
“This, will no doubt improve the health status of our citizens, particularly women and children, and to further strengthen the services provided in these facilities,” he said.
He revealed that, his administration has upgraded 8 Primary Health Care centers in Bara, Buni Gari, Babbangida, Yunusari, Yusufari, Jaji-Maji,Machina, and Asibitin Malam baba in Nguru to General Hospitals
He further revealed that, four additional Specialist Hospitals were also established in Buni Yadi, Gashua, Geidam, and Potiskum to improve access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services across the State.
“It is important to note that one of the cardinal objectives of our administration is to provide quality healthcare delivery to reduce mortality and morbidity rates due to communicable diseases and also reverse the prevalence of non-communicable diseases to meet global targets,and significantly increase the life expectancy and quality of life of our citizens.
“We remain committed to our drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and indeed other health related sustainable development goals,” he said.
Governor Mai Buni noted that, “in our quest to reach special and hard-to-reach populations and reduce delays in accessing essential and life-saving healthcare services, this administration procured and distributed over 88 customized tricycle ambulances for transporting expectant mothers in labour and emergencies in order to reduce delay in reaching health facilities for referral patients in need of further care.”
In his remarks, Yobe state commissioner for health and human services, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana said, the construction and rehabilitation of these primary health care facilities have motivated and improved primary health care staff performance and availability at all times in the facilities.
“The projects comprises of upgrade of main facility, perimeter fencing,gate house and staff accommodation,water supply and electricity, ” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the executive-secretary, Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Babagana Kundi Machina said, Buni during his inaugural speech promised to strengthen the state primary health care board and ensure the provision of at least one standard and functional PHCC in each of the 178 political wards across the 17 local government of the state.
“True to type and in governor Buni’s style of matching words with action,as i stand before you today,this administration has upgraded, rehabilitated and Constructed 138 standard and functional primary health care centres across the state.
“In this laudable Initiative,the government has enjoyed the support and partnership of various organisations such as the Multi Sectoral Crises Recovery Projects MCRP, united Nations Development Programme (UNDP),Plan International,NNPC/Cheron/Shell Petroleum Joint Venture among others, ” he said.