235,287 benefit from Jigawa govt’s free health care
….. ALGON donates N215 drugs, other items
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
A total of 235, 287 vulnerable persons are benefitting from the free health care programme initiated by Jigawa State Government, an official said on Thursday in Dutse.
Malam Isah Surajo, Technical Assistant on Healthcare Services to the state governor, made this known while distributing drugs and other items worth over N215 million to primary healthcare facilities in the state.
“Initially the Malam Umar Namadi-led administration provided free medical treatment to 500 vulnerable in each of the 287 political wards making them 143, 287 people.
“The governor later added 320 in each ward to the 500, making the total number of beneficiaries to be 235,287 people in the state.
“This is part Governor Namadi’s commitment to achieving his 12-point agenda, of which healthcare delivery is one of them,” the official said.
According to him, the government has also recuited 1,000 health workers to boost health care services, adding that each local government area will get a minimum of 30 health workers.
“The government has embarked on the construction and equipping of befiting staff quarters in all primary health centres in the state to provide conducive working atmosphere for the workers,” Surajo added.
The technical adviser explained that the drugs being distributed were procured by the 27 local government councils to support the governor’s initiative and ensure that no one die because of inability to access affordable medical services.
“Under the 12-point agenda of governor Namadi, there is a provision to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for everyone in the state, and this initiative we are witnessing today is a good partnership in achieving the desired goal,” Sirajo said.
In his speech, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Maikudi, said the free healthcare services was for those not covered under the government’s social insurance scheme.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, said the drugs, mattresses, beds and consumables were the consignment of the last quarter of 2024.
“The items include essential drugs for children, pregnant women, malaria treatment, delivery kits and other related drugs needed in primary health facilities,” he said.
The Director, Primary Healthcare in the ministry, Malam Bala Alhassan said local government councils through ALGON, contribute N135 million quarterly for the drugs and other items.
