Musa Na Allah Sokoto
The United States Agency for International Development/Integrated Health Program (USAID-IHP), will expend N132 million on the renovation of 80 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across Sokoto state.
The State Director, Integrated Health Program (IHP) Dr. Usman Alrashid represented by Fatima Muhammad disclosed this at the handing over of 16,650 delivery equipment called ”Mama-Kits” on Wednesday in Sokoto.
Muhammad said this year 40 PHCs have been rehabilitated while another 40 would be rehabilitated in 2023.
She said the renovated PHCs would be equipped with relevant delivery instruments and other medical facilities needed for safe child delivery, antenatal care, and post-delivery in the facility.
He said that the donation was part of the USAID-IHP efforts to encourage more women to visit health facilities for childbirth and other associated medical needs.
“The Mama-kits were specifically packaged with items needed during childbirth and after delivery to ease the stress on pregnant women.
“The plan was to ensure extension services with ease, USAID-IHP has provided the needed support to the government through intervention on healthcare development.
“There are difficulties faced by women during delivery, like providing sanitary pads, soaps, and delivery mat, amongst others,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the effort would encourage more women to access healthcare services noting that some facilities were in bad shape before the repairs.
In his remark, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ali Inname, expressed appreciation over the support which he said would argue state government efforts on healthcare delivery.
Inname, who was represented by the Director Administration of the ministry, Alhaji Nasir Mutassibi assured of increased working synergy with all donor agencies across the state.
He further said that having childbirth in health facilities would help to reduce maternal mortality in the state.
The Wazirin Sokoto, Professor. Sambo Wali-Junaidu, commended the donors and urged pregnant mothers to embrace the culture of patronizing healthcare facilities in the state.
