UNICEF urges mainstreaming of health workers engaged for GAVI PHC strengthening into civil service in Gombe, Taraba

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique

By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe

Governments of Gombe and Taraba states have been implored to, as a matter of urgency mainstream all the health workers engaged through the implementation of the GAVI – UNICEF MoU into the states’ civil service to boost effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.

The call was made by the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique at the Media Dialogue on Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems: GAVI PHC MoU in Gombe and Taraba states held in Gombe.

She also urged both States to honor their co-financing obligations, and as well provide the necessary structures and resources for the sustenance of the MoU gains considering the tremendous achievements recorded so far.

Rafique stated that, “I am delighted to be with you today, to participate in this occasion of the Media Dialogue on the implementation of Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”

“You could recall that in the year 2022, UNICEF and GAVI with the support of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) signed an MoU arrangement for Health Systems Strengthening with 8 States of the Federation, including Gombe and Taraba States. One of the major targets of the MoU is the achievement of 85 percent fully immunized children by 2024, as well as improved Primary Health Care programming in terms of governance, accountability and service delivery,” She explained.

According to her, the success of the PHC MoU model is hinged on: collaborative efforts, strategic planning, and political commitment in achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes.

She stressed that, “We appreciate the various achievements recorded during the 3-year implementation of the MoU in the two states, such as; Good leadership and coordination through a functional
State Taskforce, Increase in number of routine immunization outreach sessions, leading to reaching more eligible children and a reduction in Zero Dose load – reduced to 4% from 24% in Taraba State.”

Other achievements include Improved availability of vaccines at the last-mile, resulting to significant reduction of vaccine stock-out at service point, Improved availability of skilled birth attendants especially at the Apex Primary Health Care Facilities following the recruitment of 440 health workers in Gombe State.

There was also renovation of health facilities, and provision of solar equipment at the LGA cold stores, Skilled Birth attendants (SBA) coverage increased, e.g, to 24 from 11% in Taraba state and Provision of Vehicles (hilux trucks and motorcycles) which are used for vaccine distribution and supportive supervision as well as Support for the enrolment of 10,000 beneficiaries into the health insurance scheme in Gombe State.

The UNICEF CFO added that, “We are presently in the last year of the MoU; therefore, a lot need to be done to ensure timely conduct of all activities as captured in the year 3 work-plan, so that the overall objectives of the MoU arrangement will be achieved.”

She appreciated all stakeholders, especially the Gombe and Taraba States Government for providing the enabling environment for the implementation of the agreed mandates of the MoU.

She also thanked the donor, GAVI for their continued support to improving the wellbeing of children in the field office States and generally in Nigeria stressing that, “This continued support, as we can see from the achievements of this MoU, is critical to ensuring that every child survives and thrives.”

Rafique assured that, “UNICEF will continue to provide the required support to government at all levels, for the improvement of health and living standard of the population, especially, children and women in the communities.”