From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
USAID IHP has donated medical equipments and job aids for primary health care extension services in Bauchi State.
Presenting the items to the State government Tuesday at USAID IHP office, the state Director,Dr. Alhassan Siaka said it is meant to to take basic health care services to people are the rural areas and hard to reach communities.
The items he noted is to be distributed to all of he twenty local government areas of the state.
“This is not the first time USAID IHP has supported Bauchi state government, we are doing it to bring health care services closer to the people especially through our outreaches”.
Some of the items for outreaches include thermometer, sphygmomanometer stethoscopes, weighing scales and hospital screen for partition.
“We are also giving out mama kits that contain, sanitary pad, soap,hand gloves and chlorohexcide to encourage hospital delivery as most poor and vulnerable pregnant women find it difficult to buy essential items needed for delivery”.
Dr Siaka said the job aids are on the management of malaria, pre_ eclampsia and eclampsia, essential care for Labor and bleeding after birth among others.
” This job aids will assist the health worker and the communities get basic information as it it both in english and Hausa”.
USAID IHP he stated has supported the state with 1.2 billion naira for 2022.
Receiving the items, executive chairman Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said the items will bridge the stock gap for outreaches in the 323 one main PHC per ward.
“IHP has provided many interventions in service delivery and with these mama kits more pregnant women will deliver in our health facilities”.
Mohammed noted that the challenge to providing basic delivery items has pushed many pregnant to deliver at home coupled with inadequate human resources for health at health facilities .
” The present administration has given approval for the engagement of 225 pre service medical students who have signed a bound to come back and work in the state, this is to bridge the gap in human resources for health”.
Mohammed lamented that the state performance on routine immunization has dropped, noting that it is worrisome.
The executive chairman said government alone cannot meet all the medical needs of the people, and thus is very appreciative of USAID IHP continues support to the state.
He added that the agency will closely monitor the usage of the items to avert diversion.
