BY INUSA NDAHI, MAIDUGURI
The Executive Director of Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BOSPHCDA), Dr. Sule Meleh has said despite challenges posed by Boko Haram insurgents, more than 100 Health Facilities (HFs) such as Primary Health Care Centres, public and privately owned, including General Hospitals selected in each of the wards of 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state have been contracted by the Nigeria State Health Investment Project- Additional Financing (NSHIP- AF), a World Bank assisted Projects with strict adherence to Performance Based Financing (PBF) principles.
According to Meleh, the primary aims of the project seeks to increase safe delivery and use of high impact maternal and child health interventions, improve quality of care and community ownership cross the state.
He however said, effort have been put in place to scale up the project in 2019 detailed implementation plan to other Local Government Areas of Konduga, Mafa among others, by contracting Health workers and Financial experts strengthen the health system, ensure accountability and transparency.
The Executive Director (ED) stated this when the Project Coordinator of NSHIP in the state, Hajiya Habiba Saidu introduced the team from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for courtesy call on him at his office in Maiduguri.
The 4-Man Delegation from the National led by Mrs Comfort Diamond were in the state for Project Implementation Unit (PIU) performance framework assessment for the 2nd semester 2018 and performance evaluation of the Independent Verifier Agent (IVA), Contract Management and Verification Agency (CMVA) for the 4th Quarter 2018, and as well pay spot- check visit to some of the contracted facilities in two Pilot LGAs of Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
His words: ” We want to thank Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari, NPHCDA, NSHIP/World Bank and our Governor, Hon. Kashim Shettima for giving priority Concern in strengthening the Primary Health Care delivery to our people, who mostly were affected by the unfortunate incidence of insurgency.
“We in the agency would remain indebted for the sacrifices you made to come all the way from Abuja and support or assist as a team to succeed in the implementation process.
“Fortunately, I am happy to inform you that despite the challenges of insecurity posed by unrepentant Boko Haram, NSHIP is waxing stronger in Borno.
“Since the project started in mid 2017 with two pilot LGAs of Jere and MMC, the Agency was able to scale up the project to Biu, Askira- Uba, Kaga, Magumeri, Kwaya Kusar, Hawul, Shani and Bayo LGAs.
” Presently, everything are in the pipeline to scale NSHIP to all the wards in Konduga, Mafa and other Local Government Areas benefit from the project which has direct impact for free healthier life and improved quality of health care services in our communities.
“Already, regarding manpower gaps identified in some facilities, we have started thinking out of the box by liaising with other N-Power beneficiaries who studied Health Related and Financial Courses, but were posted to other ministries and agencies to join us in PBF, as their services are mostly needed in this very important project”. Meleh said.
He commended the key actors including, the Project Coordinator, Hajiya Saidu, the PBF Technical Assistant (TA) in charge of Borno and Yobe states, Mr. Nji Valery, National Focal person in the state, Mr. Peter Adamu and other Members of the PIU for their resilience and commitment towards successful implementation process.
Earlier, leader of the Delegation from the NPHCDA, Mrs. Diamond thanked Dr. Mele and other members of the PIU team who paid the sacrifices and keyed into the project, despite the security situation affecting some parts of the state.
She said, the evaluation is aimed at looking at the performances of key stakeholders, Data and other working documents with a view to make improvement where necessary.
*Photo: Gov Shettima