The federal government has launched a N10billion intervention to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in Bauchi State, distributing emergency obstetric and neonatal equipment, medical commodities, ambulances and delivery kits to healthcare facilities across the state.

The Intervention, unveiled on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is designed to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by strengthening emergency healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare nationwide.

According to Pate, Bauchi has benefited significantly from the current administration’s health sector investments, with about N10bn committed to the latest intervention alone.

He said the programme complements other federal health initiatives in the state, including the establishment and upgrade of federal health institutions, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, training of frontline health workers and the provision of critical medical infrastructure.

The minister disclosed that 20 primary healthcare centres across 15 local government areas would receive labour and delivery equipment such as suction machines, oxygen concentrators, blood pressure monitors and newborn care equipment.

He added that the intervention also includes the distribution of 17,000 maternity kits to pregnant women, essential medicines and medical commodities, 15 tricycle ambulances for hard-to-reach rural communities and six conventional ambulances to strengthen emergency referral services.

Pate explained that the maternity kits would help reduce the financial burden on expectant mothers by providing essential delivery items free of charge.

He warned healthcare workers and facility managers against diverting the equipment or charging patients for services already funded by the government.

“Do not divert these items or charge patients for services that have been provided free by the government. There should be no under-the-table payments,” he said.

To ensure accountability, the minister said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had been tasked with monitoring the deployment and use of the equipment and commodities.

Pate also announced that the first batch of National Health Fellows from Bauchi had been absorbed into the Federal Civil Service, while another cohort had begun the fellowship programme as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.

Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, described the intervention as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state.

He said the medical equipment, ambulances and essential commodities would help reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly in rural communities with limited access to healthcare.

The governor highlighted his administration’s investments in the health sector, noting that 138 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded to Level II status, three general hospitals had been constructed and the Bauchi Specialist Hospital was undergoing rehabilitation.

He added that the state government had installed solar-powered systems in several hospitals, distributed more than 64,000 Mama Kits free of charge and recruited thousands of healthcare workers to improve service delivery.

Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to healthcare funding, stating that Bauchi consistently allocates at least 15 per cent of its annual budget to the sector in line with international recommendations.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Bauchi State Emirate Committee on Health and Emir of Dass, Usman Bilyaminu, commended the federal government for prioritising maternal and child healthcare.

The traditional ruler praised Pate for driving reforms that have expanded access to quality healthcare and lauded the Bauchi State Government for investing in health infrastructure, recruiting skilled personnel and fulfilling counterpart funding obligations for health programmes.

He pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in mobilising communities to embrace maternal, newborn and child healthcare services across the state.

The event also featured the graduation of the first cohort of National Health Fellows and the inauguration of the programme’s second cohort. (LEADERSHIP)

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