…, praises USAID-IHP for building capacity
From Shola Kanji, Bauchi
Journalists committed to health reportage in Bauchi state under a CSO known as Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) have been commended for providing Indepth reportage of the health sector of the state.
Such reportage is said to have created an enabling environment for positive improvement of healthcare services delivery through construction and upgrading of health facilities and uptake.
The assertion was made by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Sabiu Abdul Gwallabe during a one day media event on the implementation of the formal sector of the state contributory health scheme organized by USAID-IHP for Journalists held on Tuesday at Hazibal Suites, Bauchi.
Represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ali Babayo Gamawa, the Commissioner said that though there are challenges with regards to human resources, the government is doing its best to bridge the gap through regular advertising for recruitment.
The Commissioner commended USAID-IHP for supporting the state government in capacity building of its health personnel as well as infrastructure development for effective service delivery.
He assured that with CSOs like J4PD working in the state, there will be no much problem continuing with the USAID-IHP programme anytime the partnership ends.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of J4PD, Ms Elizabeth Nange Kah reiterated the commitment of members of the CSO to reporting the health sector of the state in order to ensure positive action by government.
She commended USAID-IHP for building the capacity of members of the J4PD which has improved their skills and technical knowledge of reporting health issues for development.
The J4PD Coordinator urged the participants to use the opportunity given to them to understand the contributory scheme in order to be able to mobilize the public to embrace the scheme.
In his welcome remarks, Health Financing Advisor of USAID-IHP, Pharmacist Khalid Kasimu said that the aim of the meeting was to appreciate the success recorded in the implementation of the formal sector enrollment of the scheme.
He stressed the importance of Journalists in achieving the set objectives of the scheme through constant reporting and advocacy which will lead to more enrollment in the state.
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