By Olukayode Idowu
Yobe state government has inaugurated healthcare facilities in some border communities.
This would put a stop to the frequent travels of the people in the communities across the border to neighbouring Niger Republic for health care services.
The state commissioner of health, Dr Mohammed Lawan Gana, said new healthcare centres have been established in Tulo-tulo, Dole-Machina, Mayori and Gumsa border communities by the Buni administration to make healthcare accessible and affordable in the communities.
Gana said Governor Buni’s policy of establishing one functional primary healthcare in every political ward, has made healthcare accessible and affordable to the communities is a working reality.
He said on Thursday that: “ I commissioned these facilities on behalf of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, to commence providing services to the people.
“Government provided the facilities with equipment, drugs and medical personnel for effective services” the Commissioner said.
Gana revealed that government embarked on a holistic transformation of the health sector to provide effective and efficient healthcare delivery to the people.
He noted that: “The Buni administration has established 138 out of the proposed 178 functional Primary Healthcare facilities in every political ward.
“Six Primary Healthcare Centers have been upgraded to General Hospitals and the four General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Buni Yadi and Geidam have been upgraded to Specialist Hospitals in addition to the one in Damaturu to bring healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of our people” the commissioner said.
He also noted that the government has re-equipped the State University Teaching Hospital to facilitate research and treatment.
He said the Buni administration introduced the Contributory Healthcare Programme for formal and informal sector to boost effective medical services to civil servants and the vulnerable group.
The commissioner added that the government has grossly subsidised medical charges in tertiary medical facilities.
According to him, N45,000 is charged for MRI against N70-N100 paid in other states while N15,000 is charged for CT Scan against the exorbitant rates obtained in other health facilities”.
He assured that government would continue to improve on the services provided to its health institutions.