Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has praised the NSHIP and IMPACT projects, stating that he has never seen a World Bank intervention bring infrastructural investment to the health sector as seamlessly as these two initiatives.
He made this remark during the official flag-off ceremony for the revitalization of 118 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities and the commissioning of six revitalized facilities in Bauchi State under the IMPACT project, a World Bank intervention.
Represented by the Honourable Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, the Governor described the IMPACT project as a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening health systems and accelerating progress toward global health goals, particularly in immunization.
He recalled that upon assuming office, he witnessed the implementation of the Nigeria Health Investment Project (NSHIP), under which approximately 204 health facilities, including some secondary health centers, underwent complete reconstruction.
According to him, this approach was a pragmatic step toward creating an environment conducive to quality healthcare services, with infrastructure designed to withstand the test of time and align with global best practices for achieving universal health coverage.
In his keynote address, Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, highlighted key achievements of the project, stating, "To address power challenges, we provided solar energy to all 20 LGA PHC departments to enhance efficiency in coordination and service delivery."
"To bridge gaps in daily PHC operations, operational funds were provided to all 20 LGA PHC departments. Additionally, with the approval of His Excellency, the project has procured modern 4D ultrasound scanning machines for 20 General Hospitals, reducing the need for patients to seek scanning services elsewhere," the Commissioner explained.
He further stated that, as part of efforts to support the tracking and reporting of gender-based violence cases, the IMPACT project has provided a forensic diagnostic machine for the State Specialist Hospital. He also noted that to ensure the effective management and maintenance of cold chain equipment, cold storage facilities have been renovated in five LGAs to address service delivery challenges.
Dr. Dambam informed the gathering that, with the Governor's approval, medical equipment has been provided to all 323 PHCs. Additionally, 212 PHCs have received laptop computers, while 60 laptops have been procured for LGA PHC Directors, LIOs, and RIOs.
The Task Team Lead at the World Bank Country Office – Nigeria, Mr Onoriode Ezire, stated that with the infrastructure and equipment put in place, the revitalised healthcare centres have the potential to provide quality healthcare services.
He called on religious and traditional leaders to use their societal influence to mobilise women and children to access the services available.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Kirfi Local Government, Abdulkadir Dewu, and the District Head of Kirfi, Alhaji Lawal Ladan, assured the public that they would take ownership of the rehabilitated health facilities and those yet to be completed for the benefit of the communities.
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