By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Child Health (BaSAM) has urged Bauchi Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) on effective awareness on family planning (FP) uptake in the state.
The Co-Chair of BaSAM, Mr Abu John Yusuf made the call at maiden dissemination Bauchi State Universal Health Coverage UHC scorecard on Thursday in Bauchi.
He advocated to the Agency to prioritize awareness creation on the use and availability of modern methods of contraceptives for women of child bearing age to increase FP uptake.
Yusuf also urged the government to revisit the challenges around human resource for health with a view to bridging the gaps occasioned by inadequate manpower.
“Government should Improve the efficiency of public health spending for better outcomes, use budget resources to reduce financial barriers to health and make services affordable to everyone including the poor and vulnerable population.
“The Agency should ensure regular and adequate provision of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT2),” he said
The Co Chair said the advocacy for part of the dissemination meeting, BaSAM asking the state government to: take action.
Our correspondent reports that BaSAM received technical support from USAID funded Integrated Health Program (USAID IHP) and developed and disseminated the first ever Bauchi State UHC Scorecard.
On his part, the State Commissioner of Health Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe commended the efforts of BaSAM and USAID IHP for the giant stride in coming up with the first ever State UHC Scorecard, which he described as a reference point for other States to follow.
The Commissioner, represented by Alhaji Sale Idris Giade, a permanent secretary, said the state government would continue to improve its healthcare system through policy implementation and other programs in the health sector.