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Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela
By Akanji Olowolodu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela has said that the government will continue to motivate health workers at all categories in order to achieve the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.
The Deputy Governor was speaking on Saturday when the State Task Force on Primary Health Care (STF PHC), through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) rewarded PHC facilities, LGAs and some community leaders that have performed well in the discharge of their duties of making healthcare delivery services attractive to members of their various communities across the state.
According to him, the major objectives of the meeting was to review the progress made so far in the implementation of the agreed action points from the last meeting and also present Awards to the best performing Health Workers, Health Facilities, and Local Government Areas.
Baba Tela, who is Chairman of the STF PHC said that the Awards were presented to the best performing Traditional Leaders across the 6 Emirate Councils and to some individuals for outstanding performances in the improvement of Primary Healthcare Services in the state.
He further said that the meeting was to keep the STF members and other stakeholders abreast of the “National Award of Excellence on Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge” recently bestowed to State and received by the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
The Deputy Governor then disclosed that the State participated in a keenly competed PHC Leadership Challenge, and successfully emerged as the “Runner-up” for the northeastern sub-region, and one of the 6 best States in the Country in the provision of Primary Health Care services.
He said that the emergence of the State led to the monetary reward of 400,000 USD equivalent to N185,368,000 and presentation of Certificate of recognition, which were received by His Excellency on Wednesday 17th May, 2023 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
According to the Deputy Governor, one of the major Indicators that attracted high score for the Leadership Challenge Award was the regular conduct of the State Task Force on Primary Health Care quarterly meetings, and prompt payment of the MoU Counterpart funds and other obligations for PHC service provision among others.
While congratulating the recipients of the Award, the STF PHC Chairman re-emphasized that the reward for hard work is more work stressing that, “The awards are meant to motivate the good performing individuals, and to encourage others to follow suit”.
The Deputy Governor also expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders especially the technical team, traditional institution and development partners for the support given to him in his capacity as the Chairman of the important Task Force for the past four years.
In the well attended combined meeting of the STF PHC and the Award recognition ceremony held at Hazibal Hotel and Suites, Bauchi, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe commended the leadership style of the Deputy Governor as the STF PHC Chairman for turning things around positively.
He said that the the administration is gradually achieving its set objectives of efficient and effective service delivery at the primary healthcare level stressing that a strong primary healthcare delivery will promote well being of the people.
In his remarks, Co-Chair of the STF PHC who is also the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, thanked development partners in the state for their continuous financial and technical support aimed at improving the entire health care system in the state.
He said that the support has no doubt impacted positively in the performance of the STF PHC towards enhancing quality health care through government’s investment in the health sector.
He however expressed his concern over the disturbing upsurge in cases of malnutrition in the state and also appealed to partners and other state and non state actors to pay attention to that component of health with a view to reversing the current trend in malnutrition among children.
The royal father also thanked the media for their untiring support in creating and recreating awareness on all the components of health in the state.
Executive Chairman of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed also commended the Deputy Governor for giving a positive direction to primary healthcare delivery services in the state.
He said that the last 4 years of his leadership has really boosted the Agency’s capacity to deliver in its mandate of efficient and effective service delivery at the PHC level.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of the awards to deserving health facilities, LGAs and other key awardees.
