25,565 poor, vulnerable set to enjoy health scheme in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 25,565 poor and vulnerable have been enrolled by the Gombe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (GoHEALTH), for the commencement of basic healthcare provision fund programme in the state.
Speaking briefly on Thursday, at Town maternity Primary Healthcare Centre, after touring the 114 Primary Health Centres in collaboration with National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Yusuf Usman, Representative of GoHEALTH said the tour across the various PHC’s of the state would facilitate the smooth accreditation and smooth take off of basic health services.
He said this is part of government’s effort towards ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all despite the financial standing.
Usman said, “The team in joint effort with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), began the assessment in a bid to validate the healthcare facilities for provision of basic minimum package of health services.
“We started about 2 days ago and we are to accredit 114 Primary Healthcare Centres and 4 secondary healthcare facilities that have not been accredited with the NHIS scheme. This is in preparation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund Programme. You are all aware some weeks ago; we noticed landmark achievement whereby the programme was launched by the Governor. This is due to His Excellency’s vision to bring healthcare to the door steps of every Gombe indigene.”
Usman revealed that the team were impressed about the state of the facilities visited noting that their observation would be put into consideration in improving health services.
“The team were impressed with the transformation they have seen in the health sector especially in the area of infrastructure and human resources. I’m optimistic and very certain that none of the facilities in the 114 wards will be dropped because they have not meant standard.
“All that is required from NHIS is provided in those hospitals to ensure they provide basic health services that is required. We are pleased are pleased with NHIS visit, and in turn they are pleased with our facilities. As you know we just finished an important aspect of the exercise which is enrollment, the next is to accredit the facilities to ensure that they are able to offer the minimum services required. Citizens of Gombe State should expect improved healthcare. So far we have enrolled 25,565 beneficiaries (poor and vulnerable) to benefit from this scheme,”Usman added.
Also, Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said the state would effect the observations raised by NHIS towards providing better services.
Dahiru said, “The NHIS came with a checklist and they went through all the 114 wards and they saw the hospitals. You can not be 100 percent they said the manpower, human resource in some facility is two or three in Nafada that they were short of personnel.
“Personnel issues are continuous because of retirement, death. I have promised them am going to look at the human resource data base to post people immediately to close the gap. The team are happy with what they saw and the group has opened up.the doors for continuous partnership. NHIS has been there for long, Basic Healthcare Provision Fund Programme is just starting so we will leverage on their experience to provide health services to the people.”
