Bauchi Deploys Biometric Attendance To Curb Doctors’ Absenteeism

Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare plans to introduce a biometric attendance system in health facilities to improve service delivery and curb absenteeism among health workers.

The commissioner for Health and Social Welfare,  Dr Sani Dambam, disclosed this when members of the Advocacy for the Implementation of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Innovations in Nigeria visited him in his office.

The visit was to present feedback from communities on challenges encountered while accessing healthcare services.

Dambam said the biometric system would enable the ministry to effectively monitor the presence and activities of health workers while on duty.

He noted that absenteeism and late arrival of health personnel often result in long waiting times for patients at health facilities.

To him, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce delays in accessing healthcare services, particularly for pregnant women during labour and childbirth.

The commissioner, however, said that delay in seeking care and reaching health facilities were beyond the control of healthcare providers.

He urged caregivers to take responsibility for their health by planning ahead, stressing that government alone could not address all healthcare challenges.

Dambam added that the state government had continued to prioritise the health sector, especially maternal, newborn and child health, as well as nutrition.

He disclosed that a special welfare package had been approved for health workers to boost morale, attract more professionals and address manpower shortages.

Earlier, the leader of the Advocacy Champions, Shamsiyya Bala Aliyu, highlighted key concerns raised by communities and traditional leaders.

She listed the concerns to include inadequate skilled health workers, delays in referrals and the attitude of some healthcare personnel.

Aliyu said the group was seeking collaboration with the ministry to intensify awareness on postpartum haemorrhage and encourage early antenatal registration, facility-based delivery and postnatal care.

She explained that the champions were engaging policymakers and healthcare professionals to prioritise and integrate MNCH innovations into the healthcare system.

Aliyu added that the project is being implemented by the AIM-MNCH Consortium, comprising Pathfinder International Nigeria, the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN).