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By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
As a measure of improving maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), Gombe State Government through the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (GMSPHCDA) has taken delivery of hospital equipment for facilities in Kwami Local Government Area of the state.
Apart from the hospital equipment donated to the facility to enhance effective service delivery, some pregnant women were also provided with free delivery kits as they await their delivery at the facility having attended ante-natal clinic days. According to the Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, during the hand over ceremony, the medical equipments were procured under the China grant for strengthening primary health Care services in Kwami Local Government Area of the State. The Commissioner further said that UNICEF and China International Center For Economic And Technology Exchange signed a South South cooperation assistance fund implementation agreement for initiating the maternal newborn and child health project in eight African countries including Nigeria. Habu Dahiru also hailed the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for prioritizing health sector adding that the sector is now attracting investment into the state. While appreciating the Chinese Government and UNICEF, the Commissioner appealed for more support in whatever area possible in order to develop the health sector to a more quality one. Earlier, UNICEF Bauchi Chief of Field Operations, Opiyo Nixon, said that Kwami in Gombe state is the only local government area selected in the country to deliver maternal newborn and child health care adding that their goal is to ensure that no mother or child die from preventable diseases. He then promised that UNICEF will sustain the services for the betterment of society. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, GPHCDA, Dr Abdurrahman Shua’ibu, said that the project was implemented through arrangement between China, UNICEF and Gombe state government. He explained that the project has provided a platform to develop and test a model for sustainable delivery of an improved PHC at facility and community level, which can be replicated across the whole country. The Senior District Head of Kwami, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi, appreciated the Chinese government, UNICEF and Gombe state Government for choosing Kwami to become the pilot Local government not only in the state but the entire country. The medical equipments presented are 10 pieces each of Labour & delivery beds, mattresses, emergency trolley, hospital beds, bed screens, double hook Chairs and 20 infusion stands among others. In Nigeria, only Kwami local government Area was selected with the aim of improving access to health facilities and essential medicines for newborns and pregnant women.
