Bauchi to Deploy Biometric Attendance in Health Facilities to Tackle Absenteeism

Bauchi to Deploy Biometric Attendance in Health Facilities to Tackle Absenteeism

By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has unveiled plans to introduce a biometric attendance system across public health facilities as part of efforts to address absenteeism among health workers and improve healthcare delivery.

The Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Bauchi while receiving members of Advocacy for the Implementation of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Innovations in Nigeria.

He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening accountability in the health sector by closely monitoring the attendance and activities of healthcare workers, especially in facilities where patients often endure long waiting times due to staff lateness, absenteeism, and other operational lapses.

According to the commissioner, the visit by the advocacy team also created an avenue for the ministry to hear directly from communities on the difficulties they face in accessing healthcare services across the state.

Dr Mohammed noted that while health workers must be held accountable for their responsibilities, some delays in accessing care occur even before patients arrive at health facilities. He therefore urged caregivers and families to plan early when seeking medical attention, stressing that government efforts alone may not be enough to address every challenge confronting the sector.

He, however, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health services, revealing that a special welfare package had already been approved to boost the morale of health workers, attract more professionals into the system, and reduce manpower shortages in public facilities.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the Advocacy Champions, Shamsiyya Aliyu, highlighted several concerns raised by communities, including the shortage of skilled personnel, delays in referrals, and what she described as the poor attitude of some health workers, which she said continues to hinder access to quality healthcare in parts of Bauchi State.

Aliyu explained that the group was seeking stronger collaboration with the ministry to deepen public awareness on postpartum haemorrhage and encourage early antenatal registration, facility-based deliveries, postnatal care, and the adoption of innovative maternal and child health interventions across the state.

She said the project was being implemented by the AIM-MNCH Consortium, a partnership involving Pathfinder International Nigeria and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), alongside other key organisations working to improve maternal, newborn, and child healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

She added that the consortium also includes the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), all working together to strengthen collaboration and improve health outcomes for women and children across the country.

The planned deployment of the biometric attendance system is expected to form part of broader reforms by the Bauchi State government to enhance efficiency, accountability, and patient care within the health sector.