The Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ohanire and Mr. Bill Gates and Aliko
Dangote have Thursday applauded the healthcare delivery system of
Borno state government.
According to the trio, the aggressive development of state’s primary
healthcare system, is commendable; despite decade long Boko Haram
insurgency that destroyed about 50% health facilities.
They made the commendations, while reviewing Borno’s 2020 immunization
and primary healthcare coverage across the state.
Gates, who co-chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, spoke in a
live video conference held in Abuja.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, the Health Minister, Executive
Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal
Shuaib, World Health Organisation country director and state’s health
commissioner, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura also attended the video conference
held at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation office, Abuja.
Gates, who spoke while reviewing Borno’s healthcare progress said:
“I’m impressed with Zulum’s quick response to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic despite the security setbacks.
“This prevented what could have been a major impact in the state with
various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps.
“I’m also satisfied with evidences of the Governor’s lead supervision
and commitments to increase citizens’ access to primary healthcare
across the state.”
Dangote on his part, was also impressed with Zulum’s increased
allocation to the health sector from 8% to 20% in this year’s revised
budget.
“I’m also impressed with the Governor’s quick release of the state’s
counterpart contribution to the ‘basket’ which collects finances from
supporting health partners.
He said the health partners comprise Gates and Dangote, as well as
benefitting states that indicated their commitments to fund
immunization and other healthcare services.
“Zulum has done quite remarkably. I’m happy to announce the Dangote
Foundation has also released its funds into the basket today
(Thursday),” said Dangote.
Ohanire also said that he had followed track of the Governor’s overall
progress in healthcare and he was very impressive.
Dr. Shuaib of NPHCDA also shared the same of view of Minister on the
performance of Zulum in the healthcare sector.
The four speakers, while reviewing the healthcare delivery system,
however identified the state’s healthcare team to improve on its
current drive.
While expressing his gratitude, Zulum said: “I’m very much grateful to
Gates, Dangote, the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO and all other
partners for supporting Borno’s healthcare development efforts.
According to him; “We’ve built 51 primary healthcare centres in line
with the determination to have at least one each in Borno’s 312 wards.
“Approval has been made for the recruitment of hundreds of medical
personnel and specific announcement would be made on Monday in
Maiduguri.”
He also pledged to sustained and increase the healthcare delivery
services to all residents in the state.
