Health

Taraba Govt Upgrades 97 Healthcare Facilities In 8 LGs – Official

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2020

The Taraba Government has upgraded 97 facilities in eight Local Government Areas to provide primary and secondary healthcare services to communities.

The Executive Secretary of Taraba Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) Alhaji Aminu Hassan said that the healthcare facilities were upgraded in partnership with the Additional Financing-Nigeria State Health Investment Project (AF-NSHIP) in Jalingo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) AF-NSHIP, is a World Bank assisted project.

Aminu said that nine General Hospitals and 88 Primary Health Care Centres, were upgraded in Ardo-Kola, Bali, Gassol, Jalingo, Karim-Lamido, Takum, Wukari and Sardauna.

”Through the AF-NSHIP project, the achievements of the National Primary HealthCare Development Agency and the State Primary Health Care Development Board’s mandates for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) have been greatly enhanced.

”The concept of the Primary HealthCare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) and One Primary HealthCare per ward have also been enhanced to improve services at the grassroots.

“No doubt there has been some highs and lows at one point or the other. We can all agree that it is one of the most fulfilling and impactful projects in Nigeria and Taraba in particular.

” This is in terms of increased access to health care (Immunization, Family Planning, Nutrition, Treatment of minor ailments, as well as Ante Natal Care and Post Natal Care) among others.

“It was achieved through improving the the quality of care and strengthening the health system and reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality in the state”, he said.

He explained that the average quality of the health facilities was raised from eight per cent at baseline to 89 per cent.

Aminu urged all shareholders especially, the state and local government areas, to strive to ensure that the gains and lessons of the project endure and stand the test of time.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Innocent Vakkai, said the AF-NSHIP project has also helped in poverty alleviation.

“We have been to provide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services to our communities through renovation and restructuring of water system of the facilities especially borehole water system.

“We have also stocked up on drugs and all pharmacy infrastructures, full laboratory equipment, full maternity equipment, comfortable waiting area and so on.

“Furthermore, through AF-NSHIP, we have bought 60 hospital beds, 57 delivery beds and Examination Couch,” Vakkai explained.

He said that Gov. Darius Ishaku, will soon approve the immediate implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, the 3.9 million-dollar Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) and State Basic Health Insurance Scheme.

Vakkai, therefore, urged all stakeholders to work hard to leverage on the opportunities and structures provided by the AF-NSHIP project to improve the health of the Taraba people.