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Health

Bauchi Govt, UNICEF, EU to remodel PHCs

Bauchi Govt, UNICEF, EU to remodel 162 PHCS
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
PHCs
Liman Katagum (Bauchi State), Nov. 7,2018 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government, in partnership with United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and European Union (EU) has concluded arrangements to remodel 162 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for effective healthcare delivery system in the state.

The Executive Chairman, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Mr Ibrahim Gamawa, stated this while handing over a health facility to a contractor at Liman Katagum on Wednesday.

“Today will be the formal day to handover Liman Katagum health facility for remodelling through total renovation by the contractor who will handle the renovation.

“Liman Katagum PHC is among the centre’s of excellence to be renovated among 31 PHCs in the phase one of the project.

“The 162 PHCs across the state will be renovated and remodel in phases, we are starting with 31 PHCs,

“Out of which 10 PHCs each for Bauchi and Katagum Local Government Areas while the 18 Local government areas eight PHCs will be renovated in each,” Gamawa said.

He stressed the need to strengthen primary health workers to enhance effective participation at the grassroots and make effective management of PHC facilities in their areas.

Gamawa however warned that health care services and delivery should not stop because of the renovation taking place in the facilities.

He commended UNICEF and EU for committing in promoting primary health cares system in the state.

“BASPHCDA in partnership with UNICEF through the European Union funds remain committed in ensuring improved and qualitative primary health care delivery across the state.,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Seyi Olusunde, UNICEF Health Officer Bauchi, said UNICEF and EU are committed to the upgrade of health facilities in the state.

“Facilities at the centres should be upgraded to offer all services  with appropriate staffing, equipment and consumables made readily available.

“Vaccine storage cold stores and capacity gaps should also be addressed,’’ he said.

‎Olusunde said state government and partners suggest ways of reviving the already dilapidated centres across the state.

He urged Traditional and religious leaders in the communities should embark on sensitization of women, for regular attendance of Anti natal and giving birth in the facilities.

In a remark, the Village Head of Liman Katagum, Alhaji Yakubu Gani, commended the state government for considering Liman Katagum Primary Health care for renovation and as center of excellence, among others. (NAN).
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Cholera: Bauchi Govt, UNICEF constructs boreholes, latrines in schools

Cholera: Bauchi Govt, UNICEF constructs boreholes, latrines in schools
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Cholera
Bauchi, July 3, 2019 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has constructed 10 boreholes and six blocks of pour flush latrines in Tsangaya schools to avert cholera epidemic in the state.
Mr Garba Babaji, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), said this on Tuesday at the formal handing over of keys to head teachers of the benefiting schools in Bauchi.
“This is part of government effort to control cholera outbreak in the metropolis that always cause panic among the residents.
“The government and UNICEF put up measures to prevent the spread of the water-borne disease by committing the N41, 110,479.00 to support preparedness and response activities for the epidemic.
“The water, sanitation and hygiene facilities put up includes six blocks of 31 compartments pour flush latrines in five Tsangaya schools and provision of 10 hand pump boreholes in 10 Tsangaya schools,” he said.
He said the combined efforts by the state government and other stakeholders would have impact in cholera control and prevention with the full involvement of individuals at community level.
According to him, the action was spurred by the nature of the disease and at the rate at which the waterborne disease spreads in metropolis.
“The recent reports of an outbreak call for government and residents to reinforce their commitment to keeping and maintaining their environment clean as well as adopting safer behaviours with regard to personal hygiene and indiscriminate throwing of garbage,’’ Babaji said.
He said other measures to adopt to prevent a cholera outbreak include fumigation and evacuation of filled up latrines in 25 schools, mostly Tsangaya, and College of Education, Kangere.
“The government provide drums of chlorine issued to State Primary Health Care Development Agency and Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency for the infection and fumigation.
“So also 70 persons were on bucket chlorination and subsequently reaching 25,524 people for the treatment of house hold water supply sources.
“We need to continue investing in long-term measures that would ensure that the community has access to clean and safe water supply as well as assuring food safety,” he said.
Besides, Babaji said community health education messages and treatment of septic tanks in most communities, washing of hands with clean water and soap before and after eating foods had been created.
“Washing of fruits with clean and safe water before eating them, eating properly-cooked food will also help,” he said.
The scribe therefore urged civic and community leaders to provide leadership and play their role in the prevention and control of cholera in their respective communities.
Responding on behalf of the Tsangaya head teachers, Malam Dandada Ahmadu, commended the stakeholders efforts in adopting preventive measures against cholera outbreak.
“We are highly delighted for the initiative of UNICEF and state government to provide these latrines to control the cholera epidemic which is a menace in our communities.
“That is what we called prevention is better than cure. We will make sure that the facilities are adequately maintained and sustained,” he said. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola