Bello approves N100m for basic healthcare in Kogi

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has given approval for the release of N100 million bond required for the state to access Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The governor disclosed this in Lokoja, at the inauguration ceremony on the Introduction of Meningitis A (MEN-A) vaccine into the Routine Immunisation Schedule in the state.

North Central Trust reports that BHCPF is one per cent of the federal government Consolidated Revenue and contributions from donor grants set aside to fund the basic healthcare needs of Nigerians. To access the fund, a state government needs amongst other conditions to contribute N100 million as counterpart funds.

Bello said he had approved and released the payment of the counterpart fund required for the state to access the BHCPF from CBN to ensure quality basic healthcare delivery to Kogi people. He added that aside counterpart funding, the state had also met other criteria to accessing the fund, including the establishment of state Primary Health Care Development Agency and State Health Insurance Scheme.

Represented by Dr Saka Audu, Kogi Commissioner for Health, Bello said the introduction of MEN-A vaccines into the state’s RI, was part of his administration’s efforts to protect Kogi children against preventable killer diseases.

He commended the NPHCDA, KSPHCDA, WHO and other development partners for their support and the wonderful initiative, stressing that it was in line with the new direction of his administration.

He stressed that the state had series of health programmes towards reducing maternal, and child mortality indices.

”Though child mortality is still at alarming rate, a lot of achievements has been accomplished in reducing preventable deaths among children and mothers,’’ he said.

The governor advised mothers to bring out their children to childhood participate in the program which would be taking place across the state free of charge.

Dr Abubakar Yakubu, Executive Director, Kogi Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA) said the agency was committed to ending preventable child deaths and enhancing quality healthcare delivery to the people at the grassroots.

”We are marking yet another developmental milestone in our agency and the state to improve health status of our children through introduction of the MEN-A”.

He noted that meningitis vaccine was given to children at nine months to prevent them from contracting the disease.