The Technical Adviser to the Jigawa State Governor on Health, Mallam Isa Surajo, has said that the Jigawa State government has been reducing the burden of poverty through health care financing, including championing initiatives to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services.

Surajo, who made this statement at the 14th anniversary and award ceremonies of the Nigerian NewsDirect in Lagos, stated that: “N1 billion was released to the Jigawa Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JICHMA) to strengthen the social insurance scheme.”

“The J-Basic Health Package is another milestone, with 143,500 vulnerable individuals (500 from each of the 287 wards) now receiving free healthcare services under this initiative.”

“On health camps, over 3,000 surgeries have been conducted free of charge as part of health camps initiated to address critical health needs across the state.”

“Governor Umar Namadi invested about N500 million allocated for the procurement of nutritional supplements to combat malnutrition among children,” Surajo said.

The adviser was part of the top government functionaries dispatched to receive the newspaper’s Governor of the Year Award in Agro-Investments and Security for Namadi.

According to him, the governor’s bold strides and dedication to improving the lives of the people through accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services had necessitated the employment of about 3,000 health workers.

“Since assuming office, Gov. Umar Namadi has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services, ensuring access, and reducing the burden of poverty for the people of Jigawa.”

“Under his leadership, Jigawa’s health infrastructure was enhanced because he has prioritized the development of healthcare facilities across the state to ensure quality and accessible services for all.”

“The government has recruited 924 PHC workers, 200 senior health workers, 250 midwives, and an additional 1,000 essential PHC workers. Also, no fewer than 250 midwives were absorbed into the state civil service as provided in the GAVI MoU,” the adviser said.

Surajo said that the governor prioritized maternal and child health services with immunization coverage of 62 per cent, “one of the best in the country.”

He said that the government was optimizing 67 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) by providing security fences, 24/7 solar-powered water and power schemes, as well as well-furnished staff quarters to enhance the retention of human resources for health.

Surajo said that the government had begun the construction of new general hospitals in Kafin Hausa, a University Community, and Ringim, the only Emirate Headquarters without a befitting hospital, to address the gap in secondary healthcare.

“Currently, there is ongoing work at two specialist hospitals in Hadejia and Kazaure, to ensure Jigawa State meets its tertiary healthcare needs.”

“Jigawa is also facilitating the revitalization of an additional 114 apex PHCs under the IMPACT Project to further improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots,” Surajo said.

The aide said that Namadi recognised the critical importance of human resources in healthcare delivery and had made significant investments in this area.

He said that the governor had approved the implementation of the federal salary scale for Jigawa health workers from December 2024 to boost staff morale.

Surajo added that the construction of a new School of Nursing and Midwifery in Hadejia would increase the state’s training capacity.

According to him, with three schools of nursing and three schools of midwifery, Jigawa will inject an additional 720 health personnel annually from 2025 into Jigawa’s health sector.

Surajo said that this was approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) after accreditation was granted for five years to the schools.

He said that the governor was also establishing Free Dialysis Centers in Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim, and Dutse, while the existing one in Hadejia has been upgraded.

The adviser said that the government has also provided free treatment for residents suffering from hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, and cancer.

According to him, Namadi’s administration has enacted critical laws and reforms to strengthen the legal and policy frameworks to institutionalize healthcare improvements.

Meanwhile, Namadi, who was represented by Malam Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government, to receive the award, said he was pleased with the recognition and happy that his contributions to the development of his state and the people were being acknowledged.

The governor, who dispatched top government functionaries, including two commissioners and three technical advisers to receive the award, said that he was highly elated with the recognition of his investments in agriculture, security, education, and health for the benefit of the people.

Namadi said that the award would serve as an inspiration to do more and work for the betterment of the people.