EU-UNICEF TO SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH AUTHORITIES IN BAUCHI STATE
The Bauchi state is to establish Local Government Health Care Authorities in the 20 Local Government Areas with full fledge advisory Committees and Management teams.
This was disclosed by the Executive Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa during a sensitization meeting with the 20 LGAs Caretaker Chairmen held at Lamonde Hotel, Jos.
Adamu Gamawa said the Objective of the meeting is to share with State and LGA Caretaker Chairmen the National guidelines and discuss to agree on process for the formation of Local Government health Authorities according to the guidelines.
Executive Chairman further stated that, Nigeria instituted a national policy, ‘bringing PHC under one roof’ to integrate management of Primary Health Care and end fragmentation in the sector.
He said Primary Care Health Board, Management team; Local Government Health Authorities and Practitioners all have an important role to play in the implementation Primary Health Care Under one roof in the State.
He indicated that under EU-Unicef (MNCHN)project, Bauchi State developed these far-reaching governance initiatives and reform to address fragmentation and dysfunctionality.
Adamu Gamawa stated that, integrated system brings primary care services together under one management structure, stating that under the new system Primary health institutions can be streamlined to provide better services for people and improved health outcomes.
He explained that Bauchi State has gone far in the Implementation of the system in which all staffs have been deployed to the Agency where all their appointments, promotions and disciplinary cases will be handled.
He disclosed that during the last Assessment Bauchi State was placed first in Northern East and Third best in the country in term of implementation processes.
In their separate remarks the Honourable Commissioners of Health and that Information and Culture Dr Halima Mukkaddas and Idrees Mohammed Abdullahi respectively indicated that, there is need for the Chairmen to fully understand their roles in the implementation as expectations on them is quite enormous.
In his presentation the Unicef Consultant Olusunde Oluseyi said a lot of works needs to be done to reach everybody with quality health care in the state.
Oluseyi said the key objective is to ensure increased in coverage and quality of health services as well as access quality services at all levels adding that a productive working relationship between the Board and management team is therefore essential for moving primary health care forward.
Under the new arrangement according to National Guideline all Local Government will have Local Government Health Authority with advisory committee to oversee and ensure implementation of Primary Health Care in accordance with established guidelines while the Management team at the Local Government level has the operational role.
In his response on behalf the 20 Local government caretaker Chairmen Adamu Abubakar the Chairman Bauchi Local Government area expressed commitment of the Local Government Chairmen with a view to establish Local Government Health Authorities and inaugurate all committees soonest.
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Bauchi State Introduces Integrated Community Case Management
Integrated Community Case Management is a new strategy aimed strengthening health care delivery at the community and Bauchi has keyed in to the Programme.
To kick start the programme, 35 Health Expert participated in a six days training of TOT workshop on the programme at Jamil Guest Inn in Bauchi supported EU-UNICEF MNCHN Project.
Integrated community case management is a strategy to train support and supply community health workers to provide diagnosis and treatment for multiple Illnesses specifically Pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria for sick Children of Families with difficult access to case management at facilities.
The train the trainers are out to build the capacity of participants to ensure that quality is adhered to by community oriented resource persons (CORPs).
Chief of Unicef field Office, Bauchi Abdulaye Kaikai said Unicef and Primary Health Care Development Agency is working towards sourcing manpower for functional primary health care.
He said 35 Trainers are to train CORPs to provide services in communities
Abdulaye Kaikai urged them to take advantage of the training to acquire the required skills and knowledge.
Presentative of Federal Ministry of health Dr Bosede Ezekwe said Nigeria adopted integrated community case management in 2014 whereby from two states the strategy has been scaled up to seven states.
She urged Bauchi state to look at sustainability beyond the EU Unicef project.
Executive Chairman State Primary Health Care Development Agency Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa said the integrated community case management seeks to improve service delivery. The 35 train the trainers are expected to train 2000 CORPs across the State.
Adamu Gamawa also called on participants to be accountable in their assignments.