Niger State Government is to build and equip a state-of-the-art Emergency Operation Centre (EOP) in Minna, to allow for coordination and monitoring of vital services at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), across the State.
The Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad Dangana disclosed this while updating Journalists on the activities of the Ministry at the Government House, Minna.
Dr. Dangana disclosed that the Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Works to come up with technical and structural drawings and cost implications which will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for sourcing of funds.
He also said, that to structure referral services of the Ministry, and considering the cost of transportation following the removal of fuel subsidy, plans are underway to purchase Ambulances that would be used across the State for safer emergency referrals from PHCs to Secondary facilities for further care.
The Commissioner said the State Government has given the Ministry a nod to rehabilitate dysfunctional and upgrade some Primary Healthcare Centres
Dr. Dangana also revealed that the State Government has approved the automatic replacement of all retiring health workers in the State, in addition to the directive of recruiting 1,000 health workers adding that the portal for that will soon be opened for applicants.
He said the State Government has approved the resuscitation of scholarships for Medical Students and bond programmes as measures to address the brain drain syndrome of medical practitioners.
The Commissioner equally disclosed that the state government will continue to strengthen ties with Development Partners as the State presently has principal MOU with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GIZ and Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative as well as UNICEF and others.
He reiterated that the Ministry of Primary Health Care will not relent in providing affordable, accessible and qualitative primary health care services at the doorsteps of Nigerlites in all nooks and crannies of the State in line with the mandate of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
6/2/2024.
