The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of medical equipment, ambulances, essential drugs and other healthcare supplies valued at N10 billion to improve healthcare delivery in Bauchi State.
The distribution, which took place on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, was flagged off by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, in the presence of officials of the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Pate said the initiative is part of the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen primary healthcare services across the country under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained that similar interventions have been implemented in 35 states, covering investments in health infrastructure, medical equipment, essential medicines, workforce development and emergency medical services.
According to the minister, government-supported health programmes are now providing healthcare services to more than 45 million Nigerians every quarter.
Pate noted that Bauchi has benefited significantly from federal health investments, citing the upgrade of the Federal Teaching Hospital in Azare, the establishment of the National North-East Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Ningi, the creation of a Federal Medical Centre, and the ongoing expansion of ATBUTH, including the construction of a modern radiology and diagnostic centre.
He added that more than 100 primary healthcare centres across the state have either been renovated or upgraded through the partnership between the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government.
The minister further disclosed that thousands of frontline health workers have received specialised training, while more than 3,000 youths from Bauchi have secured employment in federal health institutions nationwide.
Providing details of the intervention, Pate said 20 primary healthcare centres would receive medical equipment, while another 20 facilities would be supplied with essential drugs and medical consumables across the state’s 20 local government areas.
He listed the items to include labour and delivery kits, suction machines, oxygen equipment, blood pressure monitors, surgical theatre equipment, neonatal intensive care equipment and laboratory facilities to support maternal and child healthcare.
The intervention also comprises 15 rural ambulances, six standard ambulances and 17,000 maternity kits for pregnant women to promote safe delivery and reduce the financial burden of maternal healthcare.
Pate estimated the total value of the intervention, including equipment, ambulances, drugs and consumables, at N10 billion.
He warned against the diversion or misuse of the supplies, stressing that all distributed items had been documented and that anyone found misappropriating them would face prosecution.
The minister also urged political leaders and stakeholders to prioritise development and work together to improve the well-being of Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, Deputy Governor Muhammad Awwal Jatau, who represented Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
He said the state government has continued to prioritise the health sector through the rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals and primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of additional health workers, particularly for rural communities, and sustained investment in nutrition programmes aimed at tackling severe acute malnutrition among children and pregnant women.
Jatau reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and development partners to improve healthcare services.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the beneficiary institutions, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Bara Yusuf Jibrin, assured that the medical supplies would be distributed to all designated facilities and utilised judiciously.
He reaffirmed the commitment of federal health institutions to the proper maintenance and effective use of the equipment in support of improved healthcare delivery, research and health system resilience.
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