By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
The Jigawa health ministry has expended N18.6 billion representing 88 per cent of its budgetary allocation in provision of various health infrastructure in attainment of accessible, affordable,and improved health facilities for better health for all, the acting Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salisu Muazu has said.
Speaking during the bi-weekly edition of the Jigawa Correspondent’s Media Engagement Forum, he further stated that part of the money was used to execute 61 different health projects.
“Eight among them were split over from the previous year, 11 projects were awarded by HOA members as constituency projects.
“Accordingly, 15 projects were awarded by open competitive tender process and 38 awarded through a nominative tender process.
“A total of N116,710.350 was disbursed as capitation to various operating facilities,” he explained.
Dr. Muazu however, said that the health sector appropriation for 2021 was N21,268,927,000 representing 14 per cent of the state budget, indicating that the actual fund released for both capital and recurrent expenditure for the sector was N18,693,125,000 representing 88 per cent for the sector appropriations.
Shedding more light on acute shortage of manpower experienced by the sector, Dr. Muazu said, “we are aware of the predicament, but certain emergency measures were put in place in addressing the issues, classified into long term and short term policy where 300 doctors were deployed to most needed facilities.
“Similarly, we hope to introduce an effective and intensive training centre within Dutse General Hospital in offering doctors special training who will be posted to most of our general hospitals in our quest to curtail shortage of manpower development in our hospitals and health centres.”
On the activities of the ministry, he said the sector promoted 377 staff, and 598 others have benefitted from advancement to appropriate grade levels after completion of their courses, while 62 retired.
“Also the sector in collaboration with the office of the head of service has released 192 staff to undergo various categories of training under the state in-service training programme.
“The sector engaged 408 health professionals as casual staff under the state J-Power Programmes, where the sum of one hundred and seventy one million, three hundred and sixty thousand Naira was utilized.” He said.
On service delivery, Dr Muazu said the state health sector has registered 50 private health facilities across Jigawa State with 35 private hospitals and 15 diagnostic centres.
“The sum of N1,510,000 was generated as revenue on private hospital and clinics registration and renewal of licences.
“Currently Jigawa State has constructed a basic health facility in each of the 298 polling units, equipped with medication and health officers to man them.
“The sector has recorded 7,003,790 general facility attendance, with 4,434,082 outpatient attendance, among others,” he disclosed.
