The Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, Tuesday, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the maternal, new-born and child health care complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu, the state capital.
Also, the governor launched 28 customised tricycle ambulances for the use of the hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Buni said the teaching hospital is the crown jewel of the state’s healthcare system, adding: “it is a symbol of the significant progress that Yobe has made in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people of the state’’.
He said: “As a government of continuity, consolidation and innovation, we are determined to maintain and build on our progress in healthcare. It is a progress that is recognised and celebrated both here in the state and across the country.’’
To this end, the governor stated that the federal government and World Bank recently approved a grant of N10.5bn for the state for emerging as the overall best among the 36 states in the implementation of the “Saving One Million Lives Programme’’.
He said: “It was why the federal government and the World Bank recently approved a grant of 29 million US Dollars (or around N10.5 billion) to our state for emerging as the overall best among the 36 states of the federation in the implementation of the “Saving One Million Lives Programme.
“To make more progress in maternal and childcare and to improve the capacity of the state University Teaching Hospital to more effectively serve as a referral centre of excellence, we approved some funds for the construction of the Maternal, New-born and Child Health Complex for which we are gathered here at the cost of one billion, five hundred and eighty eight million, two hundred and forty one thousand, five hundred and eighty three naira and thirty four kobo (N1, 588,241,583.34).
“The objective is to strengthen maternal and childcare, thereby reducing the rates of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in the state.
“As you are aware, this ceremony will also mark the distribution of 28 units of tricycle ambulances, procured at the sum of eighty four-million, four hundred and fifty five thousand, five hundred and six naira and eighty eight kobo (N84, 455,506.88) to be used to ease transportation for expectant mothers in labour or in emergency situations as a means of reducing maternal, pre-natal and child morbidity and mortality that may follow the complications of pregnancy, labour and delivery’’.
