FG Distributes N10bn Medical Equipment, Ambulances, Drugs to Boost Healthcare in Bauchi
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of medical equipment, ambulances, essential medicines and other healthcare supplies valued at N10 billion to enhance healthcare delivery across Bauchi State.
The distribution exercise was flagged off on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, in the presence of officials of the Bauchi State Government and key stakeholders, PulseNets learnt.
Addressing participants at the event, Pate said the intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services nationwide under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He disclosed that similar healthcare interventions have already been implemented across 35 states, covering investments in health infrastructure, medical equipment, essential medicines, workforce development and emergency medical services.
According to the minister, government-backed healthcare programmes are currently delivering medical services to more than 45 million Nigerians every quarter.
Pate noted that Bauchi State has recorded substantial gains from federal healthcare investments, citing the upgrade of the Federal Teaching Hospital in Azare, the establishment of the National North-East Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Ningi, the creation of a Federal Medical Centre, and the ongoing expansion of ATBUTH, including the construction of a modern radiology and diagnostic centre.
He further revealed that more than 100 primary healthcare centres across Bauchi have either been renovated or upgraded through the partnership between the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government.
The minister added that thousands of frontline healthcare workers have undergone specialised training, while over 3,000 youths from Bauchi State have secured employment in federal health institutions across the country.
Providing further details of the intervention, Pate explained that 20 primary healthcare centres would receive medical equipment, while another 20 facilities across the state’s 20 local government areas would be supplied with essential drugs and medical consumables.
He said the supplies include labour and delivery kits, suction machines, oxygen equipment, blood pressure monitors, surgical theatre equipment, neonatal intensive care equipment and laboratory facilities to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services.
The intervention also includes 15 rural ambulances, six standard ambulances and 17,000 maternity kits for pregnant women to promote safer childbirth and reduce the financial burden associated with maternal healthcare.
Pate estimated the total value of the intervention, including medical equipment, ambulances, drugs and consumables, at N10 billion.
He warned against the diversion or misuse of the medical supplies, stressing that all distributed items had been properly documented and that anyone found misappropriating them would face prosecution.
“He warned against the diversion or misuse of the supplies, stressing that all distributed items had been documented and that anyone found misappropriating them would face prosecution.”
The minister also called on political leaders and other stakeholders to remain committed to development initiatives and collaborate towards improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, Deputy Governor Muhammad Awwal Jatau, who represented Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, PulseNets reported.
Jatau said the state government has continued to prioritise the health sector through the rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals and primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of additional healthcare workers, particularly for rural communities, and sustained investment in nutrition programmes aimed at addressing severe acute malnutrition among children and pregnant women.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and development partners to further improve healthcare delivery.
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Receiving the medical equipment on behalf of the beneficiary institutions, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Bara Yusuf Jibrin, assured stakeholders that the supplies would be distributed to all designated health facilities and utilised responsibly.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of federal health institutions to ensuring proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the equipment in support of improved healthcare delivery, research and a more resilient health system.
