Zulum disburses N419 million to Borno primary health centres

By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has inaugurated the healthcare provision fund (BHPF) with the disbursement of N419 million to Primary Healthcare Centres.

While announcing the release Wednesday at the Government House, Maiduguri; he disclosed that 79 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are to sustain the procurement of drugs and other medical consumables.

According to him, the disbursed funds are also to meet PHCs’ human resource and management needs from December, 2021 to next year.

“The 79 selected health centres were allocated different sums of funds,” he said, noting that these depend on their sizes, including number of beds, types of services to patients.

He added that the health centres are established to serve more patients in communities with high population or residents.

Besides the increasing population of residents, he said; “There are communities in Borno that lack and are located far from alternative healthcare institutions.”

According to him, over N300 million was earlier released to PHCs for their procurement and distribution of drugs in low-income communities.

Zulum maintained that; “We’ve sustained the free maternal healthcare services in communities in the last two years.”

Executive Secretary, Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, said that 35, 000 residents were enrolled into the contributory health scheme.

The agency, according to him, targeted the vulnerable population comprising physically challenged persons and children below five.

Other vulnerable populace include pregnant women and low-income workers.

Responding at the launch of the scheme, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Olorunmi Mamora said that the Federal Ministry of Health is aware of the exceptional efforts of Zulum in the health sector.

“You’ve been developing the healthcare sector at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels,” he said, stating that the Borno State University of Teaching Hospital (BUTH) is ongoing with the establishment of a medical college, as well as the building of various primary healthcare centres.

“You’ve upgraded and modernized existing hospitals with diagnostic equipment and drugs with medical workers,” he said.

He therefore directed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to support the State’s contributory healthcare management agency.

Speaking at the Maiduguri launch, Minister of State for Health, Dr. (Sen.) Adeleke Olorunmi Mamora said “(the) Federal Ministry of Health is fully aware of the exceptional efforts Your Excellency (Governor Zulum) is making to develop the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in Borno State.

The event’s Chairman, who is The President, CommonWealth Medical Association, who doubles as President-Elect, World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele commended State’s continued successes in the development of the health sector.