Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has inaugurated the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF) with disbursement of N419 million to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
While announcing release of the money, yesterday, at Government House, Maiduguri, he said 79 PHCs are to sustain procurement of drugs and other medical consumables. He said the fund will also meet the Centres’ human resource and management needs from December, 2021 to next year.
“The 79 selected health centres were allocated different sums,” he said, noting that the disbursement depends on their size, number of beds, and types of services to patients. He said the centres were established to serve more patients in communities with high population.
According to him, over N300 million was released earlier to PHCs for procurement and distribution of drugs in low-income communities.
“We’ve sustained free maternal healthcare services in communities in the last two years,” he added. Executive Secretary, Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, said 35,000 residents were enrolled into the contributory health scheme.
The agency, according to him, targeted vulnerable population including physically challenged persons and children below five. Others were pregnant women and low-income workers.
Responding, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the Federal Ministry of Health was 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. You’ve upgraded and modernised existing hospitals with diagnostic equipment and drugs with medical workers,” he said.
Also, the President, Common Wealth Medical Association, who doubles as President-Elect, World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, commended the state’s efforts in developing the health sector.
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