BY: UMMU HAMIDA, DUTSE
Dr. Muhammed Kainuwa, Jigawa state Commissioner for health, has said that they have revised the Law on social Insurance and Equity and it’s awaiting the Governor’s ascent, under which about 145,000 vulnerable people will receive an insurance cover.
The Commissioner made this known at a Press conference held in Dutse, to mark the achievements of governor Umar Namadi under one year of his administration.
Kainuwa said about 5,000 vulnerable people have already been enrolled for health insurance cover in 287 political wards in Jigawa state in one year.
READ ALSO: Jigawa Governor Suspends Commissioner Over Mismanagement of Ramadan Feeding Funds
He explained that the health insurance for the captured vulnerable persons that included women, children and people with disabilities have carted away the sum of N1 billion from June 2023 to December 2025.
In addition, the Commissioner highlighted that the Namadi 12-point agenda which prioritized the health sector, has received massive revitalization since the administration came in May 29, 2023.
The administration he said, has inherited 29 uncompleted projects from the previous administration, with some already completed by the present administration.
With a budget of N13 billion allocated to health in 2024 budget of the state, the Commissioner said that N2.5 billion has been expended in mega projects, in the first quarter of 2024.
“We have started the construction of medical store in Dutse at the cost of N670m and will be completed in July 2024.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest 10 Criminal Involved in Culpable Homicide, Armed Robbery, Others in Jigawa
“Contracts have also been awarded for the construction of midwives’ houses, provision of solar power in 30 primary health centers across the state.” Kainuwa said.
The administration according to Kainuwa, has taken over the completion of General hospitals in Gwuiwa, Garki, Guri, Gantsa, Maigatari, Gagarawa, Kikikasamma and Gwaram towns.
They have also upgraded general hospitals in Kunya Babba and Kiyawa at the cost of N1 billion, while they have embarked on renovation of children’s hospitals in Gumel, Kafin Hausa and Dutse.
Dr Kainuwa also added that Namadi has ordered for the revitalisation and upgrade of dialysis centres in Jigawa, in view of the increasing number of patients with kidney diseases in the state.
“We are establishing a dialysis centre in Gumel at the cost of N148 million, constructing a new dialysis centre in Dutse and Kazaure general hospitals as well.” He explained.
The administration according to Kainuwa, has provided solar power at general, specialists and primary health centers in Jigawa, who are faced with inadequate power supply.
The hospitals he said, included Kazaure, Babura, Gumel, Hadejia and Reshid Shekoni, Kafin Hausa, Dutse and Gwaram general hospitals respectively.
“On inception, the Namadi administration has invested about N700 million for the revitalisation of College of Health and Sciences Jahun and College of Nursing Nd Midwifery Birnin Kudu.
“He has also laid a foundation of College of Nursing in Hadejia at the cost of N5.5 billion.” The Commissioner revealed.
Also, Kainuwa said the administration in one year, employed 821 Junior staff that included community health extension workers, pharmaceutical technicians and environmental health Officers.
READ ALSO: Jigawa Governor Suspends Commissioner Over Mismanagement of Ramadan Feeding Funds
“We have also employed 180 Medical Officers, Nursing Officers, Pharmacists, Lab Technicians, Physiotherapists and Radiologists, to fill up the gap of staff shortage at the hospitals.” Said the Commissioner.
In his 12-point agenda, Namadi extracted a Document of Commitment with 59 points as the main focus to be achieved by 2027.
Out of the 59 points in the document, nine specifically targeted the revitalization and enhancing quality health care delivery in Jigawa state by 2027.