The Yobe State Government has upgraded two health comprehensive centers to fully equipped General Hospitals in Yusufari and Machina border communities with Niger Republic. The upgrade of health centers was in fulfillment of electioneering campaign promises of Governor Mai Mala Buni to the people. According to Buni, the rehabilitation and upgrade of 178 Comprehensive Health Centers, were to take healthcare delivery services to people’s door steps. While announcing 2020 achievements of Buni in the health, education and agricultural sectors Thursday in Damaturu, the Commissioner of Information, Abdullahi Bego disclosed that despite coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the performance of last year’s budget was 94.92%. He said taking healthcare delivery services to the 178 wards across the state, could mitigate the outbreaks of diseases among children and women. According to him, prevention against most diseases is better than curing them in hospitals with high medical bills. On challenges of 95% budget performances, he said: “The 2020 is a roller-coaster of a year, a year of the CoronaVirus pandemic and global economic recession. “It’s a chequered year, one in which Yobe State has made some major progress but was held back by equally major challenges.” He noted that despite the challenges, the state government has implemented its socioeconomic agenda for the people. He attributed the 95% budget performances of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strict adherence to budgetary provisions with prudence, transparency and accountability. He added that under the healthcare delivery services, 39 new doctors’ quarters were also rehabilitated and expanded with new structures for their comfort. He said construction of the Maternal and New-Born Child Health Care Complex is being undertaken at Damaturu Teaching Hospital. “We also render free treatment for accident and bomb blast victims in the state,” he said, adding there was a 100% increase in the monthly allowance of nursing students. While providing welfare and accommodation of student nurses, a 200-bed capacity student hostel story building is being constructed at Dr. Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery. Mindful of rural women in communities, he said: “Besides the purchase of health care projects vehicles, Buni procured and distributed 39 customized tricycles ambulances.” According to him, the deliveries of healthcare to the doorsteps of people are implemented under the Contributory Healthcare Scheme (CHES). He said that there were also achievements recorded last year (2020) in the education, agriculture, housing and infrastructural sectors. While overcoming challenges of COVID-19, he said: “Buni to halt further spread of the disease, established a molecular lab for COVID-19 test, while the second one is underway in 2021.” He said to prevent further outbreaks of diseases, the government launched a campaign against open defecation including the mark of World Breastfeeding Day. On the declaration of emergency in the education sector, he said that mega schools are being established in each of the major towns. While in the agricultural sector, the state has comparative advantage in the production of sesame seeds and gum Arabic, as 600.000 seedlings were distributed last year.
