BAUCHI GOVERNOR REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PAYMENT OF COUNTERPART FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNICEF PROGRAMMES.

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has acknowledged the support of UNICEF in the construction of a new oxygen production plant at Ali Kwara General Hospital, Azare worth 2.5 Billion Naira.
He also appreciated the organisation’s support in the renovation of 107 Primary Healthcare centres, capacity building for health workers and continuous support for community structures including volunteer community mobilizers, mama to mama support groups, community resource persons and community health influencers, promoters and services (CHIPS Agents).
Speaking in an interactive session with the officials of UNICEF at the Council Chambers, Government House, Bauchi, the Governor noted that the visit has further demonstrated the commitment of the UNICEF to bolster a stronger partnership with the Bauchi State Government towards providing high quality and effective health care services to the people of the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed recalled that, since the inception of his administration in 2019, the State Government and UNICEF have been collaborating to positively transform the lives of children and their mothers, particularly in the areas of immunization, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, as well as enhancing maternal and child health care services.
He told the visitors that his administration has placed high priority on the health sector as demonstrated by executing various laudable projects which include construction and full equipping of additional Primary Healthcare Centres, General Hospitals and renovation and equipping of Primary Healthcare Centres while more than 300 Primary Healthcare Centres have received a seed stock to run a Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) so as to ensure supply of sustainable, affordable and quality essential dugs and medical consumables.
The Governor announced the enrolment of all civil servants and their families into the State Health Insurance Scheme with the release of funds to the Agency to ensure a vibrant and healthy workforce that will facilitate the implementation of various government programmes and policies.
Governor Bala Mohammed therefore reiterated his administration’s commitment to fulfill all Government’s obligations and payment of counterpart funds, including Primary Healthcare Memorandum of Understanding contributions and non-MoU counterpart funds in order to achieve the desired objectives.
On his part, the Bauchi UNICEF officer, Dr Tushar Rane appreciated the robust partnership between the Bauchi state government and his organisation and assured to do more for improvement in critical sectors of the economy.