By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani on Sunday, said that the mobile trucks that were commissioned are fully fitted with medical diagnostic equipment to render integrated health services in hard-to-reach and underserved communities across Kaduna State.
He expressed this while represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe during the commissioning of five state-of-the-art-mobile diagnostic trucks purchased by Kaduna State Government.
The commissioning, which was part of the activities marking 100 days of Governor Uba Sani in office, was done at Abakpa Health Clinic in Kaduna North LGA.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor extended Governor Uba Sani’s goodwill wishes for a very successful event.
According to her, “this truck will boost outreach service and enhancing the wellbeing and survival of our people.
She said, this truck will further serve to close geographic access gap to healthcare services.
“Also, with these medical trucks, screening and diagnosis of ailments will be brought to the door steps of the citizens of Kaduna State,” she assured.
Dr. Balarabe said, Kaduna State is committed to taking all necessary steps to making significance progress towards achieving universal health coverage.
“Our vision is to build and strengthen a healthcare system that is adequately equipped and staffed with comprehensive accessible and avoidable services that are oriented to delivering decent standards of care.
“To this end, we undertook an innovative approach to boost all our state’s health care system, among the initiative we took, we have procured state-of-the-art health mobile diagnosis clinic.
“This mobile unit will offer a range of services including maternal, new born and child health intervention, radiology services and also boost facilities for the laboratory diagnosis of ailments such as malaria, HIV, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis and many more.
“It will provide a platform for regular advocacy social and community mobilisation activities campaign.
“It is our believe that this initiative will result in substantial improvement in our health indicator, it will position us to be among the top subnational government striving to achieve universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals,” she said.
She extended gratitude to those who contributed to the noble endeavour.
“I pray for Allah for continuous guidance and direction on this road to progress and those propelling the state to achieve on its human capital development vision,” she prayed.
Similarly, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, proceeded to commission the renovated Women and Child Shelter at Katuru Road.
The center which is fully equipped with modern facilities, will serve as a transit home for children and women who are subjected to violent abuse by offering them medical, psychosocial and legal support.
The Deputy Governor who lamented that women and children are still subjected to violations in the society, said Kaduna State Government has to take urgent steps to address the menace.
While noting that most victims of Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) are women, the deputy governor stressed that Kaduna State Government will ensure that its laws serve as a platform to prosecute violators of women and children’s rights in the state.
According to her, the center will be operated and managed collaboratively by relevant MDAs and partners under the supervision of the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Earlier, the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu appreciated the governor for addressing needs and challenges faced by all, especially women and children across ages, sexual orientation, sexual/gender identities, gender equality social protection, inclusive response and integration.
“Some of our strategy response focuses on education, scale up on awareness creation/ campaign, establishment of more safe spaces (such as this), support services as well as quality service delivery.
“Most times, women and children experience unwanted pregnancies, exposure to HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infection.
“These, greatly have serious impact on Human Capital Development as they limit their ability to complete daily tasks and have suicidal thoughts which are common features of GBV effects, severe physical injuries.
“The menace of GBV cannot be overemphasized, so all hands must be on deck and with our collective efforts will bring it down to zero,” she appealed.
