The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Presidential Malaria Initiatives (PMI) has donated two state of art microscopes and other consumables worth millions of naira to the Bauchi state government.
This is part of the continuous efforts of the international donor organisation to support the state government in boosting the health sector for efficient and effective healthcare services delivery, especially in the area of malaria diagnosis.
Presenting the items on behalf of the USAID PMI, Integrated Health Program IHP State Technical Director Dr. Ibrahim Kabo said the items are meant for use at malaria Quality Assurance Reference Centers in the state, with the aim of improving malaria diagnosis which will equally improve the quality of malaria case management.
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The presentation of the commodities was done during stakeholders review meeting which was convened by Bauchi state Ministry of Health in collaboration with Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria BACATMA, State Hospital Management Board and Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agancy.
According to Dr. Kabo, "we do know that state ministry of health has established Malaria Quality Assurance Reference Centers with the support of IHP."
"So on this particular day which is very precious for Bauchi state, the USAID Presidential Malaria Initiatives PMI and Integrated Health Program IHP donated the state of art microscopes and consumables to be used at the reference centres for validation, preparation of reagents for support to all facilities across the state with a view to conduct quality malaria diagnosis."
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| DR. IBRAHIM KABO IHP State Technical Director |
He said, "IHP as a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development, one of the key intervention is malaria prevention, correct diagnosis and correct treatment and also we do know that malaria is one of the major causes deaths and disability particularly among the under five."
"We also know that the state is doing a lot in area of malaria intervention, but we want to bring innovation. For example bringing this reference centre to become functional is now making the state to qualitatively diagnose malaria and also provides appropriate management."
"Malaria is such kind of a cause that is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidities in Bauchi state, even based on the data we are getting from the facilities as well as from the DHIS too," he added.
During the stakeholders review meeting, some gaps were identified which also contributed to mortality and morbidity rates in the state, which IHP has seen the need to intervene.
"Some of these gaps are some of the facilities in the state are not correctly diagnosing malaria, they are not correctly using for example the RDT Kits and the scientists also are not correctly kind of using the microscope, preparing slight to kind of improve malaria diagnosis," he said.
Dr. Kabo therefore emphasized that, "there is still a long way to go, but we have seen a lot of improvements. So the need to make the providers competent and confident to correctly diagnose and treat malaria. Also the need to ensure that the relevant cadres and staff are everywhere in those facilities."
Receiving the consignments on behalf of the state government, the Executive Chairman Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis BACATMA thanked IHP and gave assurance for proper utilization of the commodities.
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Represented by Director Admin and Human Resources Isiyaka Tijjani, the Executive Chairman said, "this giant strides by IHP is worth commendation, because if I must confess, BACATMA has made some efforts before now, to procure these equipment (i.e lab consumables and microscope)."
He added that, "but because of scarcity of resources and other competing needs, the Agency was unable to secure the required approval to purchase and now the intervention is apt and we are very grateful to IHP and it will go a long way in addressing some of the gaps that we have identified."
He said the agency has been for long sourcing for means of having these equipments, pointing out that this is a right action taken at the right time and in the right direction.
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| MAL. ISIYAKA TIJJANI Representing Executive Chairman BACATMA |
He therefore assured that the equipment would be used appropriately adding that proper monitoring and supervision would also be ensured.
The items which were donated to Bauchi state government by the USAID Presidential Malaria Initiatives PMI include Two Cx23Ledrfs1-1-3 Optical Microscope Set and Accessories (Olympus), Two Pack of Buffer Tables PH 7.2=1L (Atom), 1 Pack Corolina Box 25 Microscope Slides PEP and 2 Pack Glycerol 99.5% ACS/EP/FG 1L (Atom).
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Other items include 8 Pack Methanol (Methyl alcohol) (Atom Scientific), 2 Pack Potassium Dihydro Phos MB 500g (Atom) and 1 Pack Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Dihy Phosphate 1kg (Honeywell) PM I.
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