Governor Bala Welcomes Launching of Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System in Bauchi

By Muslim Lawal:

:Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has requested the Federal Ministry of Health to assist in the establishment of a functional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Centre in Bauchi in order to improve the state’s capacity in the management of infectious diseases.
The Governor who made the request at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Ministerial retreat of the Federal Ministry of Health held at Event Centre, Bauchi, noted that,despite having qualified staff and molecular laboratories, Bauchi is currently taking samples to Gombe state, resulting in delays and increased costs.
Represented by his Deputy, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, Governor Bala Mohammed also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate the inclusion of health training institutions in the TETFund’s intervention in a move to enhance healthcare training in the state.
He said his administration has understand the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to build a healthy and prosperous nation, hence to remain open for partnerships with the Federal Government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to save lives and enhance the wellbeing of the citizens.
According to him, since the inception of his administration in 2019, it has declared a state of emergency in the health sector which paved way to prioritize healthcare in the state’s budgets with the allocation of over 15% of the total budget.
Governor Bala Mohammed who noted that the administration’s focus has also been on health infrastructure, with major renovations in hospitals and health centers, said it has renovated 27 General Hospitals across the state and it is working to upgrade over 1,200 Primary Healthcare Centers, ensuring that they are equipped with state-of-the- art medical equipment.
The Governor described it as an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect on the state of the nation’s healthcare system and explore innovative ways to strengthen it with believing that the outcomes will translate into actionable policies that will benefit the people of Bauchi and Nigeria at large.
He added that the retreat is a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare across Nigeria, and in Bauchi State is proud to be part of the mission and acknowledged the unwavering support of donor partners, particularly WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and the Global Fund, for strengthening health sector.
Governor Bala Mohammed while welcoming the launching of the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (SEMSAS), observed that it will play a critical role in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in rural areas, and ensure that emergency medical services are accessible to all.