Covid-19: UNFPA laments poor access to health services in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
A Sexual Reproductive Health Analyst and State Programme Officer of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Bajowa Lanre, has decried the negative impact of Covid-19, adding that it has reduced access to basic health services.
He made this disclosure on Wednesday, during the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), consisting of 1000 pieces of disinfectant, 1000 pieces of Hand wash, cartons of surgical & examination gloves, and safety goggles to two local government’s in Gombe (Akko & Gombe), with 32 Primary Healthcare Centres as beneficiaries, under the one basket fund, with collaboration from Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN).
Lanre revealed that a number of avoidable deaths had occured due to Coronavirus, adding that the PPE’s would help to mitigate transmission especially amongst health care workers.
He said, “We know clearly that the outset of the pandemic has reduced access to the essential services which are particularly life saving. In line with this, ensuring the provision of this will go a long way to improve access to essential services across board that will in a way reduce maternal mortality in our society.
“The priority is on the high burden LGA’s in the state, where they have had the highest impact of Covid-19 infection. In Gombe state we have had cases of 68 health workers who have been infected and on record as at today we have like two health care workers who have died.”
Also, Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, who was represented by Director Diagnostic Services Ministry of Health Ibrahim Hassan lauded UNFPA for supporting the state facilities with PPE’s.
The commissioner noted that the donation would help more patients access health services, adding that health care givers would be more committed to giving their best.
On her part, Coordinator of PPFN, Batheseba Kala, called on health workers to use the equipment for the betterment of patients, while urging them against hoarding.
“I wish to call on health workers within the 32 Primary Healthcare Centres to use these equipment judiciously and they should see themselves as agents of dissemination of information to those who still doubt it existence,”Kala said.
