Bauchi Seeks Establishment Of PCR Center To Improve Disease Control
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed, has advocated for the establishment of a functional Polymerase Chain Reaction Centre (PCR) in Bauchi.
The governor requested the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to assist in facilitating the establishment of the centre to improve the state’s capacity in the management of infectious diseases.
The Governor requested this during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Ministerial retreat of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare held at the Event Centre, Bauchi on Tuesday.
Bala Mohammed pointed out that despite having qualified staff and molecular laboratories, Bauchi is currently taking samples to Gombe state, resulting in delays and increased costs.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate the inclusion of health training institutions in the TETFund’s intervention in a move to enhance healthcare training in the state.
The governor while noting his administration’s understanding of the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in building a healthy and prosperous nation, pleaded that it remains open for partnerships with the Federal Government, International donor organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to save lives and enhance the wellbeing of the citizens.
“Since the inception of our administration in 2019, it has declared a state of emergency in the health sector which paved the way to prioritize healthcare in the state’s budgets with the allocation of over 15% of the total budget in line to Abuja declaration,” he stated.
Bala also mentioned that the administration’s focus has also been on health infrastructure, with major renovations in hospitals and health centres, adding that it has renovated 27 General Hospitals across the state and is working to upgrade over 1,200 primary healthcare centres and have them equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
“Our administration has made significant strides in providing physical infrastructure across sectors, recognizing that the real asset of a prosperous state lies in human capital. This is why our focus has now shifted to building human capacity, particularly within the social sector.
“Unfortunately, our healthcare system still struggles with a shortage of qualified personnel. “To address this, we have lifted the long-standing embargo on the recruitment of healthcare workers, and over 3,000 new staff have been employed.
“We are committed to ensuring that healthcare workers, especially those in rural areas, receive competitive salaries and allowances.
“A high-level committee has already recommended aligning state healthcare workers’ salaries with federal standards, and we are working to implement these changes.
“Additionally, we are cleaning up our payroll and eliminating ghost workers to ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most.
“Today, we also celebrate the official handover of the General Hospital Misau to the Federal Government to serve as the new Federal Medical Center Misau.
“This demonstrates our administration’s commitment to improving access to healthcare for our citizens. In addition, we have pledged to continue paying staff salaries for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition.”
On the other hand, the governor acknowledged the retreat, saying that is a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare across Nigeria, and Bauchi State is proud to be part of the mission. He also commended the unwavering support of donor partners, particularly WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and the Global Fund, for strengthening the health sector.
While welcoming the launching of the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (SEMSAS), Bala observed that it will play a critical role in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in rural areas, and ensure that emergency medical services are accessible to all.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, explained that the retreat is important for leadership direction to enable the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure full and effective implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
Bauchi Seeks Establishment Of PCR Center To Improve Disease Control is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
