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USAID IHP State Director, Dr Alhassan Siaka handing over the items to the EC of BASPHCDA, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Integrated Health Program (IHP) project has supported Bauchi state with N1.2 billion for various interventions in the heath sector in the year 2022.
The USAID IHP is in the intervention of taking basic healthcare services to the rural areas and hard to reach communities across the state.
Consequently, the project on Tuesday, donated medical equipments and job aids for primary healthcare extension services in the State.
While presenting the items to the State government at the USAID IHP office, the State Director, Dr Alhassan Siaka said that the donation is meant to take basic healthcare services to people at the rural areas and hard to reach communities.
The items he noted are to be distributed to all of the twenty local government areas of the state saying, “This is not the first time USAID IHP has supported Bauchi state government, we are doing it to bring health care services closer to the people especially through our outreaches”.
Some of the items for outreaches include thermometer, sphygmomanometer, stethoscopes, weighing scales and hospital screen for partition.
According to him, “We are also giving out mama kits that contain, sanitary pad, soap, hand gloves and chlorohexcide to encourage hospital delivery as most poor and vulnerable pregnant women find it difficult to buy essential items needed for delivery. The items are worth the sum of N42,831,200.
Alhassan Siaka also said that the job aids are for the management of malaria, pre- eclampsia and eclampsia, essential care for Labor and bleeding after birth among others.
He stressed that, “This job aids will assist the health worker and the communities get basic information as it it both in english and Hausa”.
While receiving the items on behalf of the state government, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said that the items will bridge the stock gap for outreaches in the 323 one main PHC per ward.
According to him, “IHP has provided many interventions in service delivery and with these mama kits more pregnant women will deliver in our health facilities”.
Rilwanu Mohammed noted that the challenge to providing basic delivery items has pushed many pregnant to deliver at home coupled with inadequate human resources for health at health facilities.
He said that, “The present administration has given approval for the engagement of 225 pre service medical students who have signed a bound to come back and work in the state, this is to bridge the gap in human resources for health”.
Rilwanu Mohammed however lamented that the state performance on routine immunization has dropped, noting that it is worrisome.
The executive chairman further said that government alone cannot meet all the medical needs of the people, and thus is very appreciative of USAID IHP continues support to the state.
He added that the Agency will closely monitor the usage of the items to avert diversion.
