By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Emir of Dass, in Bauchi State, Nigeria ,Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman has urged members of a Bauchi based NGO known as Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) to focus part of their activities on creating awareness on the need for public to always seek for orthodox healthcare services in a health facility closest to them.
The Emir also said that, that is the only way to improve on the negative health indices associated with Bauchi State.
Othman stated on Wednesday 4th January, 2023 at his Palace, when members of J4PD paid him a courtesy visit in Dass.
The Emir, who also double as the Chairman of the Bauchi State Emirate Councils Committee on Health (BASECCOH), further said that, “The State Government is doing everything within its limited resources to see that health care services, especially in the rural areas, is enhanced. This can be seen through the supply of drugs, medical consumables and renovations and upgrading of health care facilities across the State.
Also, development partners in the health sector are complementing government efforts in creating enabling environment for citizens to access healthcare services within their immediate environment.
“So, you can see that on the supply side of health care services, the State Government is trying its best. What is left now is for the citizens, especially those in the rural areas to cultivate the habit of accessing these services”, said Othman.
The Emir then commended J4PD for their foresight in establishing the NGO, which he described as timely and long overdue.
The Emir also accepted the offer made by the management of J4PD to serve as it’s Patron.
Earlier in her remarks, the Coordinator of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah said they were in the Palace to pay homage to the Emir and also intimate him on the activities of J4PD that cut across Public Health, Good Governance, Education, Environment, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and other developmental areas that have direct bearing on the lives of people in Bauchi State.
She informed the Emir that part of J4PD’s area of competence involves carrying out evidence based advocacies through editorial reports and interfacing with target audience.
Kah, also pledged the resolve of J4PD to collaborate with the Emir in trying to see an improved indices in some of the sectors that the State is been scored below average.