Clients of BHCPF commend Gombe Govt, want transfer of medical personnel reduced
Chima Azubuike
As residents of Gombe State especially the vulnerable benefit from Basic Health Care Provision Fund, some clients have lauded government efforts, adding that life has become alot easier.
Our Correspondent reports that the BHCPF was established under section 11 of the National Health Act as a catalytic funding to improve access to primary health care.
It also in a bid to attain universal health coverage.
According to some of them, the initiative has helped to ease the burden that comes with accessing medical support.
Speaking in an interview with journalists at the State Specialist Hospital in Gombe, which is a referral point, they noted that consistent transfer of medical professionals include the main challenge at hand.
According to Laban Ibrahim, government should work on the frequent transfer and movement of doctors from one facility to another, stressing that it impedes care.
He said, “This is my fifth time of coming here, In first diagnosis I was said to be hypertensive and the doctor then placed me on medication and offered me some advices, but on my return now I met another doctor who just wrote and prescribed drugs for me.”
While commending the initiative Ibrahim said, “So many things have changed with the coming if this programme, before we prefer to go to a private hospitals due to the high cost and lack of effective service delivery, at private hospitals things are cost but you can get good care at the moment here. Tests are free, they have been helping us.”
Also speaking, Mary Banta, who was receiving treatment for stomach ulcer and other ailments disclosed that she was particularly happy with the constant availability of drugs, improvement and equipping of health facilities in the state.
“Since I moved from Mahdi to this place I’m really excited about their services. It is as if the programme was established for me. I was suffering from ulcer which has started affecting by liver. But at the moment I have been well managed.
“We thank the government for bringing this to the common man, there is serious improvement to my health,” Banta added.
On his part, Medical Director at the specialist hospital, Dr Mua’zu Ishaq, explained that the government has prioritised health of the masses especially by revamping and equipping the facility for effective service delivery ahead of implementation of the program.
He disclosed that no fewer than 20,000 clients are benefitting from the programme in the referral facility.
He said, “In terms of manpower we have started training to develop the needed personnel. It is designed to take care of the needs of the vulnerable in the society.
“The whole idea is for those that are less privileged to get quality healthcare. At the moment, we have over 20,000 accessing care in this facility.”
