Better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to the economic progress, as healthy population live longer and more productive. The ability of a government to provide quality health services for its people also determined how safe the society will look like. Indisputably, access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, as a measure for the reduction of unnecessary disability and premature death.
Beyond providing adequate security to protect lives and property of citizens, another key area that government’s performances can be accessed is through its ability to provide good health care services to its teeming population. Health sector is a critical element that is crucial to the developmental profile of any state.
However, in this regard, the governor of Kebbi state, Senator Atiku Bagudu’s giant strides in repositioning the health sector in the state which is radical and very dear to people’s heart is already yielding positive result in the state like never before.
His revolutionary reform in the sector was founded on the fundamental belief that development of a state begins with its people’s health. And so, in order to radically transform the section for the benefit of its teeming population, the Bagudu led administration has embarked on rehabilitation of Primary Health Care Centres across the 225 wards in the state, and having realized the important of qualified manpower in the section, the governor also approved the employment of health personnel, especially Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses/Midwives and other lower cadre staff such as cleaners, drivers and security men among others.
In the last five years, one amongst several other benefits that the health sector has provided to the people of Kebbi state is the regular medical outreach being sponsored by the state governor in collaboration with Moses Lake Medical Foundation from United State of America (USA). The series of medical outreach to thousands of people were not limited to only the people of the state but also to neighboring states.
In an effort to eradicate cases of moternal mortality and child death in the state, Bagudu’s government also strengthened the free drugs programme for pregnant women and child under the age of five years, as well as routine immunization which has tremendously help in eradicating transmission of wild polio in the state.
The Midas touch of Governor Bagudu in the health sector since he assumed office as the number one citizen of the state has improved the health status of the people of the state that makes it an envy of many and the pride of her citizens at home and in the Diaspora. It is also in the Bagudu’s record that one of the oldest General Hospital in the Northwest; Sir. Yahya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi was reconstructed by his administration to give it an international standard look.
Bagudu’s foresight for total overhaul of the health sector in the state is a factor that has help the state to contain the spread of Coronavirus outbreak. While many states in the federal were battling to put in place health facilities to contain the spread of the virus, Bagudu’s government was already on top of the situation, while efforts were been made to secure more equipment in the fight against COVID-19.
In spite of his efforts in the health sector, the Governor never relent to swiftly swung into action by setting up a Taskforce Committee to control the spread of the disease and provide medication to patients. In his kind-hearted nature, Bagudu gave what could be best described as mouthwatering allowances to the Frontline workers and members of the Taskforce which was aimed at boosting their spirit for adequate delivery in their various professionalism.
Gov. Bagudu, knowing fully the implication of the spread of the virus, set up Isolation centre and ICU in Kebbi Medical centre, Kalgo and Sir. Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi with adequate beds and ventilators. This is in addition to the massive awareness campaign on COVID-19 on personal and environmental hygiene which were carried out for women groups and association across the state.
Bagudu’s quest has always been to provide good leadership to his people in an exemplary manner that many politicians of our time are lacking. The governor, without any doubt, has make a mark as an astute administrator not only in the health sector but across board.
Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi writes from Kaduna-Nigeria
