Umuahia – The Abia Government has called on the 17 local government councils in the state to embrace Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF) of the Federal Government to enhance healthcare delivery.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ahukanna, made the call in Umuahia on Tuesday during a meeting he held with the local government health secretaries in the state.
He said the state was included in the three states that would benefit from BHPF package granted by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The commissioner explained that the fund was aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, adding that the council health secretaries had important role to play in the implementation of the project.
According to him, the fund is also an essential mechanism for improved healthcare delivery in rural communities in the state.
Ahukanna said the meeting was necessary to inform the secretaries on guidelines for the management of the fund.
He urged the council officials to show determination and diligence in the implementation of the the fund to ensure its success.
The commissioner directed the secretaries to write comprehensive reports on challenges facing their various councils in the area of primary healthcare service for proper planning toward the implementation of the project.
“Since the fund will be disbursed directly to the primary healthcare centres, the reports will ensure that proper plans are made for the success of this project in Abia,’’ Ahukanna said.
Responding on behalf of the secretaries, Mrs Ugoma Anosike, said that the councils would adhere to the guidelines for the management and administration of the fund.
Anosike expressed the commitment of the secretaries to the Federal and State Government’s plans to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots.