From: Ruth Yarnap
The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, in partnership with Integrated Health Program has advocated domestication of all relevant national policies on health, gender and social inclusion in Bauchi State.
The call was made at a one-day training tagged Brown Bag Learning Session on Dissemination of Gender Desk Review findings in the state which was conducted by IHP.
In her paper presentation on 2019 to Jan., 2020 review findings on Gender and Rapid Policy in the state, Mrs. Helen John, a Gender Advisory at IHP, said that the health policies and procedures for hiring and retention were in place but adherence was low in the state.
During the review, she added that the state was discovered to have inadequate number of qualified human resources.
“The documents review clearly showed that many national policies were not domesticated. The findings indicated that health workers have limited knowledge and training to serve people with disabilities in primary healthcare centers. 23 healthcare professionals per 155,553 people”.
According to her, “The National Demographic Health survey (NDHS 2018)indicated that only 57 per cent of health professionals receive on the board training, 33 percent have clear job description, 84 percent received manuals and 72 percent were to be supervised”.
Mentioning some of the state documents reviewed, she listed policy and program evaluation, budget document and gender analysis.
Mrs John recommended that the Bauchi state Government should domesticate National policies relating to health, gender and social inclusion for quality healthcare services in Bauchi state.
According to her, IHP, supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has over the years done so many projects to improve the quality of healthcare services in Bauchi state.
Speaking also in his address, the USAID-IHP Technical Director in Bauchi, Dr Ibrahim Kabo said that the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) would provide support to the state to achieve improved healthcare service.
Dr Kabo revealed that USAID- IHP contributes to the state level reduction in child and maternal morbidity and mortality in the state.
Some of the policies not domesticated include; National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy, Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition)act, National Policy on the Development of adolescent and young people in Nigeria among others.
In his remarks, the Director of Planning,Research and Statistics,Mr Sabo Jama’are,Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, appreciated USAID -IHP for their support towards healthcare services in Bauchi state.
He said that with the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, primary healthcare services would be improved in the state and the findings will help the government take a better decision in the state
