Bauchi to implement TSTS policy for effective, efficient healthcare delivery
By Matthew ELOYI
Bauchi State Ministry of Health has expressed readiness to adopt the revised and updated Task Shifting and Task Sharing (TSTS) policy make up for the inadequate human resources for health (HRH) which has a negative impact on efficient and effective health care services delivery.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samaila Dahuwa who disclosed this, said that the TSTS document was designed for optimal utilization of available human resources for health sector improvement and development for efficiency and quality healthcare delivery services.
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Speaking at a one day review of TSTS by USAID funded Integrated Health Program (IHP) held in Bauchi, Sumaila Dahuwa who was represented by the Director, Medical Services of the Ministry, Dr. Robinson Yusuf said that the state with support from World Health Organization (WHO) has in 2014 adopted the National policy which has proven to be the most important thing to have been done.
In his words, “A task analysis that was conducted in 2015 provided evidence indicating that rural areas of the state have the lowest concentration of health workers leading to a high mortality rate.
“It is important to appreciate that the TSTS policies are short term and temporary, not designed to take way tasks from any professional cadres. But rather to make optimum utilisation of the staff currently available in the state Health facilities.
“Worthy of note is the revision is the inclusion of cadres such as community midwives, community pharmacist, and environmental workers for the first time.”
Sumaila Dahuwa also said that the strategy would assist in ensuring redistribution of tasks among existing cadres commending development partners and other stakeholders in the state, for validating and reviewing the document.
He therefore, urged the stakeholders and development partners to collaborate with the state Government towards successful implementation.
In his contribution, Adviser, Human Resources for Health, USAID funded Integrated Health Program (IHP) Dr. Bukar Largema, said that the TSTS was aimed at moving simple responsibility from high to lower cadres of the professionals.
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He also said that the policy would complement Government efforts in the existing gap for health workers saying, “TSTS is to move some responsibility from high to lower professionals. It will also help the high professionals to manage critical cases.”
Bukar Largema further said that the health workers would undergo training to ensure that essential care is provided.
