FROM PAUL ORUDE, BAUCHI
The World Bank has disbursed the sum of N28 million to 15 Primary Healthcare Centres and one General Hospital in Dass Local Government area of Bauchi State.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHDA), Mr Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa, at a press briefing in Bauchi yesterday.
Gamawa said the disbursement was under the World Bank funded Nigeria States Health Investment Project (NSHIP), aimed at repositioning healthcare facilities to render effective primary healthcare services.
He said that Dass local government was selected for the pilot project adding that it would be gradually extended to other local government areas of the state.
He further stated that Bauchi and Katagum local government areas have been selected for the next phase of the project while additional one has also been earmarked until all the 20 local government areas in the state were covered.
According to him, N13 million was earlier disbursed to the PHCs and additional N15 million will be disbursed based on the assessment of their performance and utilisation of the funds allocated to them.
He therefore, urged the people to utilise the opportunities provided by the project in order to access healthcare delivery system in their localities.
Also speaking, the program coordinator, Dr. Adamu Mohammed informed that N13 million was disbursed to the PHCs two months earlier for them to carry out some facelifts, create pharmacy units and purchase working tools.
He said that improved healthcare delivery services have been witnessed in Dass local government within the period, hence, the disbursement of the next tranche of N15 million.
He added that the programme has been closely monitored by relevant health regulatory bodies at the federal, state and local levels based on some set parameters to ensure the proper implementation of the project.
Dr Mohammed informed that the monies were disbursed to the benefitting PHCs and the general hospital based on capacity, needs and the population being attended to through various services rendered.