BY LAKE CHAD TIMES, AUGUST 20, 2024 | 8:03PM
A total of N209.8m has been disbursed to 170 primary healthcare centres across Borno State.
In a symbolic gesture, the state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum presented cheques to some selected healthcare facilities in the state.
The fund was to enhance healthcare delivery in the centres.
The governor equally charged officials and stakeholders on the program to use the resources judiciously.
For effective monitoring and accountability, Zulum has, along other things, directed local government chairmen to take charge of all PHC centres in their local government.
While the disbursement of funds to PHC centres and other measures directed by the Governor Zulum to ensure effectiveness is commendable, our platform believed that there is the need to include another exercise to the program in order to enhance the judicious utilization of the funds.
This is based on the facts that PHC is the lifeline for healthcare recievers, women, children, and other vulnerable groups in particular and especially in rural areas.
These individuals are the most frequent users of primary healthcare services, and it is essential that they receive quality care.
Women require access to maternal healthcare, children need immunizations and treatment for common illnesses, and the elderly require ongoing care for chronic conditions.
The improved healthcare services will have a direct impact on the lives of these vulnerable groups, reducing the risk of maternal mortality, child mortality, and improving the overall health and wellbeing of the elderly.
The enhanced facilities will also provide essential services such as antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, childhood immunizations, and treatment for common childhood illnesses.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges that women, children, and other vulnerable groups face in accessing healthcare facilities.
Many of these individuals live in rural areas, far from healthcare facilities, and lack the means to afford transportation or healthcare services.
Women often have to travel long distances to access maternal healthcare, putting their lives at risk.
Children and the elderly may be unable to access essential services due to lack of mobility or financial constraints.
These challenges downplays the importance of strengthening primary healthcare centres without ensuring that they are accessible and affordable for all.
Therefore, there is the need to establish a special response unit in each of the PHC, tasked with reaching out to these vulnerable groups who cannot access healthcare services at the centres.
This, we believe will make greater impact and reduce hardship faced by people that lack direct access to healthcare facilities, ultimately saving lives and improving the wellbeing of the most vulnerable populations in Borno State.
Note: Lake Chad Times, formerly TwentyOne, the site is on the process of migration.