Japan hands over health facilities to Yobe gov’t (Pictures)
Story by Hussaini Mohammed BABA
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has handed over project: Restoring Emergency, Maternal, and Child Health services to the Yobe State Government.
The event, which took place at the General Hospital Jakusko, was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health Yobe State and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).
The project is expected to benefit over 300,000 women as direct beneficiaries in the state.
It could be recalled that insurgency by Boko Haram had affected many parts of Yobe State in the past, which resulted in the destruction and vandalisation of healthcare facilities, hospital equipments, vehicles and killing of some healthcare workers.
Example of such acts can be traced to June 2022 where ambulances were burnt, medical equipments vandalised, essential drugs and medical equipments stole in some areas such as Geidam, Yunusari, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa and Bursari. In addition, hospital buildings and vehicles were set ablaze.
As part of effort by the state government, the destroyed infrastructure was reconstructed and has enhanced security arrangements to prevent future attacks on health facilities by providing continuous routine integrated supervision of all health facilities.
This project by the government of Japan equipped healthcare centres to deliver quality maternal, new-born, and child healthcare in communities affected by recent insurgency attacking Yobe, especially the June 2022 attack.
READ ALSO: NEDC assures Yobe of continued developmental projects
Speaking during the occasion, the UNOPS Director, represented by the Head of Programme, Emily Muga stated that, “UNOPS’ mission is to build the future by ensuring that mothers and children, who will be provided with the health services using these equipments will live, survive and be able to be part of the economic development of Nigeria.”
Responding to questions on the challenges they faced, she said the first challenge was access to electricity because it was irregular and not at the correct voltage for the equipments.
The project, which commenced from 29th February 2023 to 30th June 2024, focused on the procurement and infrastructure of health facilities
In the General Hospital Jakusko, radiology and medical laboratory service units were rehabilitated and equipped as part of the project with the theme ‘Restoring Emergency, Maternal, and Child Health Services Yobe State’.
Also, speaking at the occasion, the Principal Medical Officer (PMO), Dr. Sani Kadugum, thanked UNOPS, the government of Japan, North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Yobe State Government for executing such a laudable project in Jakusko, which will have direct impact on the lives of community members .
Top government officials, heads of boards, parastatals and agencies, and traditional office holders, among others, were all in attendance during the handing over ceremony.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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