The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of medical equipment, ambulances, essential medicines and other healthcare supplies worth N10 billion to strengthen healthcare delivery across Bauchi State.
The distribution exercise was officially launched on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside officials of the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Pate said the intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to revitalise primary healthcare services under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained that similar healthcare interventions have 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-supported health programmes are currently providing healthcare services to more than 45 million Nigerians every quarter.
Pate noted that Bauchi State has benefited significantly from federal healthcare investments, highlighting 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 added that more than 100 primary healthcare centres across the state have either been renovated or upgraded through the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government.
The minister further disclosed that thousands of frontline healthcare workers have received specialised training, while more than 3,000 youths from Bauchi have secured employment in federal health institutions nationwide.
Providing details of the intervention, Pate said 20 primary healthcare centres would receive medical equipment, while another 20 facilities would be supplied with essential medicines and medical consumables across the state’s 20 local government areas.
The equipment includes labour and delivery kits, suction machines, oxygen equipment, blood pressure monitors, surgical theatre equipment, neonatal intensive care units and laboratory facilities aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare services.
The intervention also includes the deployment of 15 rural ambulances, six standard ambulances and the distribution of 17,000 maternity kits to pregnant women to promote safe deliveries and reduce the financial burden of 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 supplies, stressing that all distributed items had been properly documented and that anyone found misappropriating them would face prosecution.
The minister also called on political leaders and stakeholders to remain focused on development and collaborate to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Representing Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Deputy Governor Muhammad Awwal Jatau commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Jatau said the state government has continued to prioritise healthcare through the rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals and primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of additional health workers, particularly for rural communities, and sustained investment in nutrition programmes aimed at tackling 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 improve healthcare services across Bauchi.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the beneficiary institutions, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Bara Yusuf Jibrin, assured stakeholders that the medical supplies would be distributed to all designated health facilities and utilised effectively.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of federal health institutions to ensuring the proper maintenance and efficient use of the equipment to enhance healthcare delivery, medical research and the resilience of the health system.
