The Borno State Government has pledged to revamp the primary healthcare system to improve the lives of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in camps and communities.Over 1.7 million IDPs are currently taking refuge in Maiduguri, Dikwa, Gwoza, Pulka and Monguno camps with about 14,000 returnees.The Executive Director, Borno state primary healthcare development agency (BPHDA), Dr. Aliyu Shettima disclosed this at the weekend in Maiduguri; while briefing journalists to mark National Safe Motherhood Day.He said more hospital equipment and ambulances had been procured and distributed to IDP camps and liberated communities.“The revamp of the healthcare delivery system was to ensure that pregnant women access services to reduce maternal death and complications,” he said.According to him, the leading causes of death include sepsis, hemorrhage, severe hypertension, obstetric emergency among others.
On accessing the camps and communities, he said: “We’ve taken a holistic approach before resettling any IDP to any community with support of partners in health and nutrition.He explained that during the resettlement process, health workers will also move with IDPs and returnees to establish effective health services to the vulnerable.He noted that many pregnant women attend antenatal services in primary healthcare centers but hardly come for delivery.Dr. Shettima lamented that it has become a major constraint of having an effective data of maternal mortality and morbidity in the state.He said that in an effort to bridge healthcare delivery gaps, the agency commenced the training of Community Health Influencers and Promoters (CHIPs).According to him, after the training they are engaged at the local government level to integrate their services to the people.
