From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has flagged off the distribution of multi million naira worth of essential drugs donated to the state by an NGO based in America.
The drugs were donated by an NGO based in America called Map International.
This was part of the fulfillment of the NGO’s earlier promise made to the state government last year when Governor Bello Mattawale visited the United States of America.
The beneficiaries of the free drugs included all General and Specialist hospitals as well as the147 newly constructed Primary Health Centers across the state.
Speaking at the event which was held at State Drugs Management Agency in Gusau, Matawalle said, the gesture is part of his administration’s policy to promote health care delivery for the people of the state.
“As you are all aware, my administration attaches priority attention to the issue of health care delivery.
“We have taken decisive steps since May 2019 to revamp the health sector to meet the healthcare needs of our growing population, the majority of whom fall into the less privileged category”, he said.
Matawalle outlined some of the achievements of his administration in the health sector which he described as a welcome development.
He said, his administration has established the Zamfara State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency aimed at ensuring broader health coverage and to assist in lessening the obstacles our people face in accessing both public and private healthcare services.
Other achievements acccording to Matawalle were the launching of a programme named “Care for 34,000 Vulnerable Persons” under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in November 2021 and the supply of ambulances to General Hospitals.
Matawalle also explained that, his Government has provided rickshaw ambulances to all the 147 newly constructed primary healthcare centres and constructed an infectious diseases hospital at Damba area Gusau.
He mentioned other achievements which included the resuscitation of the State Drugs Management Agency so that the agency would be able to produce some generic drugs as well as numerous interventions and health projects at the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2020, among others.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar MC commended Governor Mattawale for his gigantic efforts in revamping the health sector.
The Commissioner maintained that the free drugs distribution programme was one of the outcome of the Matawalle’s recent visit abroad.
He assured the Governor that the drugs would be distributed to all the targeted beneficiaries.
He called on the people of the state to continue supporting the administration of Governor Bello Mattawale in its effort to move the state forward.