By Rita Iliya
Niger state government has unveiled the New Niger Health Agenda, calling for strong collaboration and ownership by local government councils to reposition healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agenda was unveiled during a one-day high-level strategic and technical engagement between the Niger State Ministry of Health and local government leadership in Minna on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, said the engagement was timely and strategic, noting that a functional healthcare system was the backbone of a productive and prosperous society.
Bago, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, said healthcare challenges in the state include: inadequate infrastructure, shortage of skilled personnel and limited funding.
He said other challenges include: weak referral systems and gaps in primary healthcare services, which were most visible at the local government levels, saying the new health agenda would address these challenges.
He stressed the need to strengthen primary healthcare centres, describing them as the foundation of an effective health system and capable of reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals.
“We cannot manage what we do not measure. reliable and timely data from local government areas will help us plan better, track progress and evaluate outcomes,” he said.
Bago called for collaboration with traditional rulers, women groups, youth organisations and civil society groups towards promoting preventive healthcare and ensuring sustainability of interventions.
Earlier, Dr Murtala Bagana, Commissioner for Health in Niger, described the engagement as the first major alignment platform between the state and LGAs under the New Niger Health Agenda.
He said the agenda was a deliberate reform pathway designed to move the state from fragmented interventions to a coherent, results-driven health system with primary healthcare as its foundation.
He announced the state Primary Healthcare Centre Leadership Challenge (Ni-PLC 25) for the 25 local government areas to promote excellence, accountability and innovation in primary healthcare delivery.
According to him, awards will be given to the overall best-performing LGA, zonal best LGAs and the most innovative LGA chairman, based on independent verification.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health, Dr Abdullahi Imam, said the new agenda derived from the broader New Niger Agenda of the Bago administration and was aimed at building a people-centred and responsive health system.
Also, Alhaji Mu’azu Jantabo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, assured of the ministry collaboration with ministry of health to make healthcare delivery seamless across the state.
Also speaking, Mr Iliyasu Zakari, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Agwara, pledged the full support of ALGON, promising that council chairmen would work with councillors at ward level to ensure effective implementation of the agenda.
One of the participants, Dr Mustapha Jibrin, Chairman of Chanchaga Local Area, appreciated the governor and the commissioner for the initiative and assured of their collaboration to ensure rural communities get qualitative healthcare services.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
