By IBRAHIM Ayaaji, Damaturu
The Co-Chair, Bill Malinda and Gates Foundation Mr. Bill Gates and the Chairman, Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote have praised the efforts put in by Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum and his Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni over the fight against polio in the country.
The two billionaires who have signed an MoU with the two states and other states in northern Nigeria to strengthen routine immunization in the states took turn to commend the governors at separate mid-year performance review of 2020 which is an annual event of the program that gives appraisal on the progress of the program.
Recall that the initial MoU was signed in 2015 between the states , Aliko Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen routine immunization in the States. The project was in . March 2018, this was extended for additional five years (2018-2023) and this is the 3rd year into the extension.
At separate video conference review with the chief executives, both Mr. Gates and Mr. Dangote believed that the commitment of the governors has brought about an end to the fight against polio virus in the country.
For Borno State, Mr. Bill Gates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ohanire were particularly impressed with the aggressive approach of Gov. Zulum for the development of the Primary Healthcare system despite the huge security challenges posed by the Boko Haram crisis.
Mr. Gates pointed out the quick response of Gov. Zulum to the COVID 19 pandemic which according to him prevented a major outbreak at the IDP Camps in the state.
He was also particularly impressed with what he described as evidence of Gov. Zulum’s supervision which has increased access to primary healthcare by the citizen.
On his part, Dangote expressed his happiness over Gov. Zulum’s decision to increase of allocation of 20% of Borno’s revised budget to healthcare as against 8% in the previous budget.
He was also impressed with Zulum’s quick release of Borno’s counterpart contribution to “basket” which collects finances from supporting partners - Gates and Dangote, as well as benefitting States to show their commitment to funding immunization and other healthcare efforts.
“Like you (Governor Zulum) has done quite remarkably, I am happy to announce the Dangote foundation has also released its funds to the basket, today (Thursday)” said Dangote.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Ohanire said he had followed track of Zulum’s overall progress in healthcare and he was very impressed. The same view was shared by Dr. Shuaib of the NPHCDA.
Governor Zulum, in his closing thanked both Mrrs Gates, Dangote, the Federal Ministry of Health, the WHO and all other partners for supporting Borno’s healthcare development efforts.
He recounted that 51 primary healthcare centers were so far built in line with the determination to have at least one PHC in each of Borno’s 312 wards. He also said he had just given approval for the recruitment of hundreds of medical personnel (specifics of which will be announced by him on Monday in Maiduguri).
The Governor promised to sustain and increase the drive for the health well-being of Borno’s citizens.
Addressing the Yobe State governor, Mr. Gates was happy that like Borno State with security challenges, Yobe has also worked hard to contributing to the polio free staus of Nigeria.
He urged Governor Mai Mala Buni and other stakeholders to sustain the tempo in fighting the virus.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Dangote Foundation Alh. Aliko Dangote, commended Yobe state government for investing in the health sector to improve the health of the citizens.
While expressing the optimism to more activities in healthcare delivery in the years ahead, Mr. Dangote called on the state government to increase her budgetary health allocation and time release of funds.
In his closing remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni assured the commitment of his administration to improve the health of the people of the state.
"I want to assure you that Yobe state government will remain committed to providing effective, affordable and accessible healthcare services to the citizenry. We will continue to collaborate with our development partners to promote a healthy population in our state and the country", Gov. Buni said.
He added that the state will not renege on her commitment for the fulfilment of any financial MoU despite decline in revenue.
“In spite of substantial decline in revenue which necessitated the downward. review of our 2020 budget by 20.4 percent, the State has been able to fulfill its counterpart obligation as contained in MoU for Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC).
"I would like to further assure you of prompt payment of our counterpart obligations in all health related programmes in Yobe State."
He said contract has been awarded for the supply of another set of 60 customized tricycle ambulances to cover more areas due to the success recorded under the first set of 28 tricyle ambulances in conveying expectant mothers to health facilities.
Governor Buni also assured the commitment of the State government in providing a functional primary health care in each of the 178 political wards and providing effective and efficient healthcare services through the newly established Contributory Healthcare and the drugs and medical consumables programmes
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