Governor Bello Matawalle Inaugurates Community Health Influencers

Zamfara State Governor Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawallen Maradun has launched the Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services CHIPS and Community Engagement Strategy roll-out programs in the state.

The two programs were earlier launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA with a view to reducing maternal mortality and child morbidity as well as ensuring community participation and ownership in routine immunizations and allied health programs.

Speaking on the occasion held at Dr. Garba Nadama Conference Hall J.B Yakubu Secretariat Gusau, the Governor represented by his Deputy Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha Gusau said the present administration remained steadfast to the provision of necessary support to ensure consistent and sustainable healthcare services across the state.

Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawallen Maradun further said his administration is determined to increase access to health care for women and children, particularly those dwelling in rural communities as well as hard-to-reach areas.

The Governor said the CHIPS and CES programs launched in the state are in perfect alignment with the agenda of the present administration in view of the earlier commitment to provide succor to the underserved communities while at the same time providing for all other segments of society.

Commenting on the unsatisfactory result of the previous immunizations conducted in the state, Dr. Bello Matawalle attributed the problem to the insecurity situation and assured the state government of the determination to remain committed to reverse the development, saying launching the two programs are part of the steps taken as it was designed to take health services to the doorsteps of the communities.

He said the present administration had constructed 147 primary health facilities and expanded and reconstructed Kagara Health Facility in the Talata Marafa Local Government area in addition to procurement of tricycle ambulances to the facilities, assuring the State Government’s determination to investigate the requests presented by the State Primary Health Care Board.

In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar M.C Danmasanin Tsafe said CHIPS and CES programs were meant to ensure that health programs are implemented in an integrated manner to maximize efficiency and avoid wastage and enjoyed the support of all partners.

He assured the state government that, the State is fully prepared to implement the programs and appealed for expedited action to complete the redeployment of remaining health staff from the Ministry for Local Government to the State Primary Health Care Board, completion of the Board’s State Headquarters Project and recruit ad-hoc and permanent staff in the Board.

There were goodwill messages from the Emir of Gusau Sarkin Katsina Dr. Ibrahim Bello and Kulu Sanda from UNICEF.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board Dr. Isma’il Tukur Gusau made presentations on the programs and gave highlights on the role of community and traditional rulers in the programs.

He said the CHIPS agents would henceforth conduct immunizations campaigns and other health programs in an integrated form and would be given essential medicines to handle common sicknesses at home.

In a vote of thanks, Permanent Secretary of State Ministry of Health Pharmacist Aliyu Muhammad Maikiyo Maradun charged the CHIPS agents to be abreast of the task before them to achieve the goals of the program He thanked the State Governor and all those who contributed to the success of the program.

The occasion was attended by Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardaunan Dan Isah, Head of Service Kabiru Muhammad Gayari, Chief of Staff Alhaji Ibrahim Suleman, Commissioners Special Advisers, Partners, LGA Primary Health Care Coordinators, Non-governmental Organizations NGOs, Community-Based Organizations, and host of others.

By PHCB Zamfara State