By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Task Force on Primary Health Care (STF PHC), through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) have rewarded PHC facilities, LGAs and some community leaders that have performed well in the discharge of their duties and making health care attractive to members of their communities.
In a well attended combined meeting of the STF PHC and the Award recognition ceremony held on Saturday 20th May, 2022 at Hazibal Hotel Bauchi, State Deputy Governor Senator Baba Tela said the major objectives of meeting was to review the progress achieved 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 also double as the Chairman of the STF PHC said Awards will also be presented to the best performing Traditional Leaders across the 6 Emirate Councils and to some individuals for outstanding performance in the improvement of Primary Health Care Services in the states.
He further informed the meeting will keep the STF members and other stakeholders abreast on the “National Award of Excellence on Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge” recently bestowed to State and received by His Excellency Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
Baba Tela 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 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 a good will message on behalf of all USAID funded interventions in the State, the State Director of USAID funded Integrated Health Program (USAID IHP) Dr. Alhassan Siaka congratulated the state for winning the $400,000 and also expressed his hope that the entire sum be channel into the State Basket Fund for improved primary health in the the state. There were other goodwill messages from representatives of the GATEs and Aliko Dangote Foundations, WHO, UNICEF and other Partners.
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 their 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.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of the awards to deserving health facilities, LGAs and other key awardees.