From Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency(BSPHCDA) in partnership with White Ribbon Aliance Nigeria(WRAN) and World Health Organisation(WHO) has organised a one – day stakeholders engagement on mapping for the implementation of the National Guideline On Sexual Reproductive and Self Care in the state.
The meeting held at Bagari Suites Friday drew critical state stakeholders, key partners and service providers in the state to develop a workplan and stakeholder mapping for the implementation of Self Care in the state.
In a welcome remarks,the National Coordinator of WRAN, Christiana Asala, while stating that Self-Care is a new approach to primary health care, disclosed that the objective of the meeting was to conduct a landscape of Self-Care programmes, policies and products in the state.
Asala who stated that efforts are geared towards establishing community practice on Self-Care, said other objectives included mapping out relevant stakeholders on Self Care and Co-Development of Self-Care 2022 for Bauchi State.
She said that the initiative was part of efforts aimed at reducing the burden of care at health facilities and improve access to sexual, reproductive and maternal health services.
According to her, the initiative became imperative following the rapid increase tn the country’s population and the pressure on health facilities to deliver quality care.
In his opening remarks, Executive Chairman of the BSPHCDA, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed optimism on the Self-Care programme in the state.
Mohammed said the agency has 1000 Chief agents and 330 supervisors across the wards and 20 Local Government Areas that can facilitate the implementation of the programme in the state.
“Self-Care can be an important way of reaching vulnerable groups,” the PHC boss said, saying the agency is currently addressing the challenge of lack of human resources to facilitate the smooth implementation of healthcare delivery at the grassroots level
The Bauchi State Coordinator of World Health Organisation(WHO), Dr Mahmood Saidu,in his presentation, commended Bauchi State for being selected as one of the states in the country for the implementation of the National Self-Care Guideline on Reproductive and Maternal Health programme in the state.
According to him, “It is a welcome development. Although Self-Care is not a thing, but with new changes, there is renewed focus on taking it to communities”, adding that Self-Care means to promote, maintain health and cope with illnesses with or without the healthcare personnel.
Critical stakeholders, key partners and service providers in the state were expected to brainstorm to develop a work plan and stakeholder mapping for the implementation of Self Care in Bauchi State
Saidu assured the state government that WHO would continue to provide both technical and financial support in the implementation of the National Self-Care Guideline on Reproductive and Maternal Health programme in Bauchi.
Saidu said the scope of self-care WHO guideline include improved anti natal care, quality family planning services, elimination of unsafe abortion, combating HIV and other infectious diseases, promoting sexual health among others.
He said the vulnerable population may require additional information saying self-care guideline has to do with human rights, gender equality and issue of ethics and reduce the frequency of visitation to health care facilities.
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