Gov. Buni commissions 138 Primary Healthcare Centres, 88 emergency tricycle ambulances
Story from Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State on Tuesday commissioned 138 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Commissioning the projects at Gwange primary healthcare centre in Damaturu, Governor Buni said the upgrading, rehabilitation, and construction of the primary healthcare centres became necessary following the massive destruction of public structures including health facilities, schools, electricity, and water sources by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He stated that his administration was determined to reform the health sector to bring about transformation in healthcare delivery across the state.
Buni informed the gathering that his administration has successfully completed the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of 138 primary healthcare centres out of the proposed 178 centres for each political ward.
“So we are here today to officially commission the Gwange Primary Healthcare Centre,” he said.
The governor said the centres will no doubt improve the health status of citizens, particularly women and children, and also advance the medical services provided by the facilities.
Governor Buni revealed that the 8 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres are in Bara, Buni Gari, Babbangida, Yunusari, Yusufari, Jaji-Maji, Machina, and Asibitin Malam Baba in Nguru was transformed into a General Hospital.
Speaking further, Governor Buni said 4 additional Specialist Hospitals were established in Buni Yadi, Gashua, Geidam, and Potiskum to improve access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services across the state.
“It is important to note that one of the cardinal objectives of our administration is to provide quality healthcare delivery to reduce mortality and morbidity rates due to communicable diseases and also reverse the prevalence of non-communicable diseases to meet global targets, and significantly increase the life expectancy and quality of life for our citizens.
“We remain committed to our drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and indeed other health-related sustainable development goals,” Buni said.
Similarly, Governor Buni launched 88 customised tricycle ambulances for transporting expectant mothers in labs across 17 local government areas of the state.
He said, “In our quest to reach special and hard-to-reach populations and reduce delays in accessing essential and life-saving healthcare services, this administration procured and distributed over 88 customised tricycle ambulances for transporting expectant mothers in labour and emergencies in order to reduce delay in reaching health facilities for referral patients in need of further care.”
In his remarks, Yobe State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said the construction and rehabilitation of the primary healthcare facilities have motivated and improved health workers’ performance and availability to render professional services at all times.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, said Governor Mai Mala Buni during his inaugural speech promised to strengthen the state primary healthcare board and to ensure the provision of at least one standard and functional PHCC in each of the 178 political wards across the 17 local government of the state.
Machina noted that the achievement is laudable, adding that the government equally enjoys the support and partnership of various organisations such as the Multi-Sectoral Crises Recovery Projects (MCRP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Plan International, NNPC/Cheron/Shell Petroleum Joint.
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