Bauchi to partner JHPIEGO for inclusive healthcare delivery for women, children

Rauf Oyewole

Bauchi State Government will collaborate with Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) and other relevant Partners towards addressing the burden of maternal, perinatal and child morbidity in the state.

The State Governor Bala Muhammad stated this during a dissemination ceremony of Baseline Findings for General Ante-natal Care (G-ANC) and Post-natal care (PNC) project held at the Government House Bauchi.

Mohammed said that his administration is working in synergy with developmental partners to positively impact the lives of children and mothers and the collaboration has focused on areas such as immunization, nutrition, water sanitation, hygiene, and child healthcare services.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, the Governor said that the outcome of the maiden Bauchi Health Summit organised by his administration is already in line with the implementation. This is in addition to renovations and construction of primary and secondary healthcare facilities across all the three senatorial districts.

Mohammed commended JHPIEGO for working toward the findings. He acknowledged the support of developmental partners to the present administration and pledged to continue to provide them with the enabling environment to achieve their organisational mandates.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo, pointed out that identifying the gaps is an aspect that the stakeholders should look into and proffer possible ways to such issues to provide the necessary support that would help the State improve its healthcare delivery for a healthy society.

Sambo said that 70 percent of people seeking healthcare services come from rural and informal sectors, and asked partners to put their best efforts into the project instead of forcing donors to do everything.

In his address, the Country Director of JHPIEGO Nigeria, Dr Adetiloye Oniyire, who was represented by Oyetunji Ajiyola, explained that the findings was conducted in 235 facilities and affirmed the readiness of the organization to assist the state government to incorporate in its agenda.

He added that the possible areas of cooperation with the state: through joint investments, technical assistance to the state, training of health workers and provision of other sources of support to the state, stressing that the state would contribute its quota.