By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
The Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BOSPHCDA) and Nigeria State Health Investment Project- Additional Financing (NSHIP- AF), a World Bank assisted Projects with strict adherence to Performance Based Financing (PBF) principles has enjoined all Facility Managers/Health Workers in contracted Primary Health Care centres including General Hospitals in the two Pilot Local Government Areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere to commence medical outreach in the existing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
This was disclosed yesterday by the Executive Director, BOSPHCDA, Dr. Sule Meleh while addressing Facility Managers/health workers during a Refresher Training on development of Business Plan for the 2nd Quarter, 2019 at the Conference Hall of the Agency in Maiduduguri.
Recalled that the Business Plan should be Developed and ready for submission to the BOSPHCDA on or before 15th April, of 2nd quarter 2019 for approval.
The training organized by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) was facilitated by the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Habiba Saidu, PBF Technical Assistant in- charge of Borno and Yobe states, Mr. Nji Valery among other PIU staff.
The Executive Director said, NSHIP seeks to increase safe delivery and use of high impact maternal and child health interventions, improve quality of care and community ownership across the state.
According to Meleh, the refresher training on Business Plan development as working document became necessary to ensure strict adherence to PBF guidelines which have respect for due process, rule of law, transparency and accountability using the monies given to the contracted facilities strengthen the health system in the state.
He however said, given the situation of displaced persons who are taking refuge in resettlement camps, these contracted Health Facilities need to extend their medical outreach and social marketing strategies not only in the host communities, but also in IDPs camps who are in dare need for healthcare improve quality of the service indicators such as Antenatal care, Delivery, HIV test and treatment, Growth monitoring, child spacing/family planning, nutrition Out Patient Department, OPD, and other services that would be purchased by the NSHIP at the end of every quarter.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator and the Technical Assistant of the project, Mrs. Saidu and Valery told the participants that the training is timely considering the fact that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency is much concern on accountability and sustainability of the project that have direct impact on the lives of the citizenry.
Meantime, contracted Facilities from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Kaga Local Government Areas were among the first batch that benefited from the Business Plan Development Training, while Biu, Hawul, Shani, Askira- Uba, Magumeri, Bayo and Kwaya Kusar Local Government Areas would soon be trained as well.