Muhammad Garba
World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the Jigawa state government to reposition its Health System with more effective policies, programs, and budgetary allocation to make basic healthcare services accessible and affordable to all people in the state.
The WHO county representative and head of mission in Nigeria Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo made the call when he paid a courtesy visit at Dutse Government House.
He said, there is a need for the Jigawa state Government to gradually bridge gaps in human resources for health, and increase budgetary allocation for disease surveillance and emergency response for tackling the high rate of maternal and infant mortality, and other unnecessary and preventable death in the state.
WHO also appeals for the passage of a Public Health Bill, Implementation of a State Actions Plan for Health Security, and Strengthen Community participation and ownership to drive improvement in health outcomes in the state.
Dr. Walter then commended Jigawa state for its commitment and effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccine coverage and called for a more enabling environment for donor partners to bring and implement interventions for achieving UHC and SDGs.
The WHO country representing promised to continue supporting Jigawa state to maintain Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free status through the polio eradication program, Response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other programs to strengthen the state healthcare services delivery.
In his response, Governor Malam Umar Namadi commended the effort of WHO and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency in supporting Jigawa state to tackle challenges around its public health.
He noted that his government is ready to provide all necessary support, contribution, and enabling environment to donor partners, individuals, and organizations that indicated interest to support the state in improving its healthcare system and any other aspect that will improve health, social and economic life of Jigawa state people.
