By Asma’u Ahmad
The Jigawa state Governor, Muhammad Abubakar Badaru has launched the state’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to boost healthcare delivery service to the people. The governor stated this while inaugurating a newly-built Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) at Jaudi village in Dutse Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Badaru said that the provision of the health facility was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of providing at least one functional PHC in each electoral ward in the country.
Governor Abubakar Badaru
“The launching of the Jigawa State Universal Health Coverage, is in line with the presidential agenda of providing at least one functional PHC in each political ward in the country.
“The UHC involves the provision of appropriate physical health infrastructure, relevant health human resource. Functional essential equipment and supplies as well as array of complement essential services that will address the primary healthcare needs of rural population on 24-hour basis,” Badaru said.
He assured that his administration, despite the contracting fiscal environment, would commit substantial resources to make sure that the people of the state live a productive life, good enough for vibrant economy.
“And our agricultural reform and investment heavily depend on a healthy population, strengthening of health system we believe, translates into a huge return in investment in the near future,” he said.
The governor further revealed that in the last two years, his administration has embarked on a number of new projects, while many inherited ones were being completed.
According to him, 27 new PHCs were built by his administration in remote areas with a view to improving access to quality healthcare by rural dwellers. Adding that there are plans to construct 57 others in some locations.
Governor Badaru said that the 450 recently recruited health workers would be deployed to the new health facilities.
He commended the Department for International Development (DFID) for supporting the state with drugs, equipment and motorcycles worth over N700 million in order to actualise the UHC agenda.
