Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Borno State government has built 64 healthcare equipped facilities with the rehabilitation of 300 others to boost service deliveries in 27 Local Government Areas.
This was disclosed, at the weekend (Friday), by the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji at the State’s Council Meeting on Heath, held at the International Conference Centre, Maiduguri.
According to him, the highest decision making meeting was last held in 2005.
Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Dr. Shehu Sule, disclosed: “World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 25% of the world population live in fragile and conflict affected states or countries.
He warned that combined with existing weak health systems, these settings make it difficult to deliver health services to the people.
According to him, fragile and conflict affected states have higher burden of disease and mortalities.
He further disclosed that; “There are more than 70% of cases of epidemic-prone diseases including cholera, measles and meningitis,” adding that there are 60% of preventable maternal deaths, 53% of deaths in children under five, while 45% of infant deaths were also recorded by the WHO.
He noted that the situation in Borno state is also similar, while reviewing the health system across the state.
Dr, Sule, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Baze University Hospital Board, in paper entitled: “Health System Strengthening in Post Conflict and Fragile Setting: Challenges and the Way Forward,” said that developing the health system in the long-term, requires a two-pronged approach by addressing basic health needs in the short and long term development of the health system.
He added that the Health Information System (HIS), should also maintain a functional data bank with the State Ministry of Health.
While the health service delivery should be implemented on the basic health care packages and quality care across the state.
He said this will enable the State government; to be guided and draw lessons from the fragile conflict affected states or countries.
According to him, the strengthening of health systems should be prioritized to improve healthcare and human service deliveries to the people.
He noted that; these are despite of the compelling humanitarian, political, security and economic reasons to do so.
Continued; “This will reinforce the authority and legitimacy of the State government to reduce Boko Haram insurgency in the state.”
He pointed out that; the provisions of healthcare services and prevention of disease outbreaks; are the short term focus of the UN humanitarian agencies.
He, therefore, called on the State government to start planning for a transition to long-term development of the health systems to save people’s lives.
This, according to him, could be achieved with a combination of improved food security, social amenities and access to education, particularly the girls that could provide them with opportunities and livelihoods.
“We’ll also have a strong health system and ultimately a healthy citizenry in line with our vision,” he assured.
Responding. Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his deputy, Usman Kadafur, said that strengthening the health systems could provide and sustain the healthcare delivery services in the state.
