By Danhassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) has held its bi-annual media engagement with a select group of health journalists, showcasing major achievements in the implementation of its programmes as the year enters its third quarter.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his unwavering support to the health sector. He noted that the state has recorded significant improvements in immunization coverage, particularly in efforts to close the gaps on zero-dose children.
Dr. Mohammed provided updates on the successful implementation of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs), Integrated Birth Registration Activities (IBRA), Measles/Rubella campaigns, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Interventions (MAMII), Azithromycin (AZM) distribution, family planning commodities, and other primary health care initiatives.
He revealed that the governor has approved the harmonization of doctors’ remuneration with the Federal Government’s scheme of service to retain medical personnel who might otherwise migrate to federal health institutions for better pay.
According to him, the state government has also fulfilled all its financial obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, aimed at improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
In addition, the governor has approved a ₦100 million matching grant for the Children’s Nutrition Fund to combat malnutrition among children under five. The Board is also considering an extension of the PHC-MoU with the Gates and Dangote Foundations for another four years to further strengthen healthcare services at all levels.
For the first time, the BSPHCDB provided detailed, transparent information on vaccine utilization, delivery, and last-mile distribution in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the media engagement was also aimed at strengthening collaboration between the BSPHCDB and the press to enhance coverage and public awareness of primary healthcare services.