Jigawa State government has announced its preparation to offer free medical treatment, including kidney dialysis, to patients at five health facilities in the state.
The state commissioner for health, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, revealed this while briefing newsmen on the resolution of the state executive council meeting.
He said the state government has approved the award of a contract for the establishment of the dialysis centres in Dutse and Ringim General Hospital, while the installation of the dialysis machines and other equipment is at an advanced stage in Hadejia, Kazaure, and Gumel general hospitals.
Kainuwa noted that the new package is part of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, which included access to healthcare services for all people of the state of all social and economic statuses.
“Governor Namadi is determined to ensure that no person dies in Jigawa because of medical bills. He is committed to making healthcare services accessible and affordable for all Jigawa citizens and is ready to invest to achieve the desired goals.”
Dr Kainuwa added that the state executive council has approved N1.5 billion for renovating and upgrading 32 health facilities across 30 constituencies.
He explained that the renovation and upgrading are being undertaken to ensure the facilities provide 24-hour services to meet the growing demand for healthcare services. He also announced the enrollment of 500 people with fewer privileges into free health insurance from each of the 287 political wards in the state.
“Though the social health insurance is for primary healthcare, the beneficiaries have a guarantee of enjoying free service up to the tertiary level under the scheme for which the council approved N1.5 billion.
“To achieve the desired goals, we recruited 1,100 health workers, including 200 doctors, pharmacists and nurses, while renovation and upgrading of all existing health facilities are under the program, including those constructed since the 1970s without any major renovation or upgrading in the state,” Kainuwa stated.
