The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi has applauded the implementation of World Bank assisted project on strengthening healthcare delivery services. The Bank’s Additional Financing-Nigeria State Health Investment Project (AF-NSHIP) was to improve quality of public and private healthcare facilities across the state. El-Kanemi made the commendations on Thursday, when Dr. Sule Meleh, the Executive Director, Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency visited the monarch on an advocacy and sensitization programme in Maiduguri. He said that the introduction of AF-NSHIP during the post- conflict situation, could address most of the challenges in the health sector. According to him, about 51 percent of health facilities was destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents. His words: “I am delighted of the interventions of AF-NSHIP in addressing some of the challenges in our primary health facilities destroyed by insurgents across the state. “Borno which was a Home of Peace has suffered much destruction in the hands of Boko Haram. I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari, our security agencies and the Borno state government for their efforts in degrading the remnants of insurgents. “In a post -conflict situation, we have vulnerable groups, particularly women and children that are in dare need of accessible and free health care services. “I am glad that the introduction and implementation AF-NSHIP is to ensure safe delivery, maternal and child healthcare, routine immunization, nutrition and general healthcare services.” He said implementations of World Bank assisted project are to enhance healthcare delivery services across the state. “I want to assure you of our fatherly blessings and support for this very good project to succeed and sustained in our dear state,” said El-Kanemi, urging the team to scale up, as peace gradually returns to the state. Dr. Meleh told the monarch that for projects to succeed, community participation and ownership are however essential. His words: “For any health facility contracted, there must be a trusted and selfless Ward Development Chairman (WDC) who should be a signatory to facility’s bank account. “This is to ensure, transparency and accountability, for a better quality healthcare delivery services to the people.” “The health project which commenced mid 2017 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere as pilot scheme has been scale up in Biu, Askira/Uba, Magumeri, Kaga, Hawul, Shani, Kwaya- Kusar and Bayo councils. “Efforts are being put in place to scale up in remaining 15 Local Government Areas, as the security situation improves.”
