The HONORABLE Minister of state for health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate has announced that the running of Primary Health Centers will soon become the responsibility of State Government.
The minister made this known during a one-day sensitization meeting organized for Commissioners of Health and Directors of Primary Health Centers on Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Program me, and maternal and child Health Project [PMUT], held in Abuja yesterday.
Dr. Mohammed Pate said that the meeting is to intimate the participants with the concept of SURE-P and the context by which it is to be implemented in the Health sector is also geared towards preparing the participants minds on their role as key players in the Federal government effort in reduction of infant and maternal mortality caused by preventable diseases. He disclosed that federal Medical centers which have been left under the care of local government authorities have not been doing well, thus the need to leave them under the Care of State Government.
The Minister assured that if the SURE-P is effectively implemented, it will ensure access to necessary health commodities in properly equipped health facilities. This, he also said will go a long way in complimenting the success story of Mid-Wifery Service Scheme which has provided trained Health attendance to various Health Centers across the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Ado said that the SURE-P has moved from 6% to 11% reduction in infant mortality. He however lamented that this is still far from 2015 target of 0% infant Mortality in Nigeria.
The Executive Director explained that the Sure-P is different from Mid-Wifery Scheme, in that, while the former focuses on demands in the Health Service delivery, the later is concern with the provision of skilled human resource personnel in the health sector. He also added that the meeting is to fast-track the Sure-P towards achieving MDGs 4&5 goals and saving of 1million Lives yearly.
In her contribution, the convener of the meeting, Dr. Fatima Adamu said that the meeting would give the participants first-hand information on SURE-P, its implementation, progress and fine-tune on the way forward.
The Bornu State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salma Anas Kolo, urged the participants to be sincere , hard working and accountable in the discharge of their duties. She also informed that Bornu State has launched a free maternal Health Service.
Via: Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) Nigeria