Dep Gov Happy With Yobe Health Reforms

Yobe Deputy Governor Abubabkar Ali has said that the health reform programmes of the state government have improved primary healthcare delivery and reduced maternal and child mortality among the populace.

Ali, who is also the Commissioner for Health, told  newsmen in Damaturu recently that the programme had also reduced the high rate of communicable diseases among the people.

“The reform has provided effective, efficient and affordable health care at the doorsteps of people at the grassroots.

“Government has provided drugs, equipment, ambulances and solar powered boreholes worth over N369 million to 11 primary health centres across the state to boost primary health care delivery.

“Medical equipment worth N384.8 million has also been provided for all hospitals and clinics across the state.

“To adequately address the needs of the growing population in the metropolis, work has been intensified on the N1.6 billion ultra-modern hospital in Damaturu,’’ he said.

The deputy governor said the government carefully studied the report of the first health summit organised in the state and implemented the recommendations to check the high incidence of communicable diseases among the people.

Abubakar said the introduction of a free drugs programme for pregnant women and children had improved antenatal and post- natal care among pregnant women and thus reduced maternal mortality.

“Accessing the free drugs for children has also increased children’s health in the state with gross reduction in child mortality,” he said.

The deputy governor also said that the government distributed nutrition supplements under the child survival programme to hospitals in the state.

He said the government renovated Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu at the cost of N92 million, General Hospital Potiskum (N99 million), General Hospital Gashua (N114 million) and General Hospital Geidam (N66 million) to improve the structures in the hospitals.

“The reform is a revolution to provide qualitative health care services for the people through the provision of adequate drugs and consumables, working tools as well as trained manpower that is both efficient and affordable,’’ Ali said.