Zamfara Distributes 175 Smartphones To Health Facilities

In an effort to strengthen digital data management and reporting across the health sector, the Zamfara State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA) has distributed 175 smartphones to health facilities across the 14 Local Government Areas of the State.

The acting executive secretary of ZAMCHEMA, Dr. Iliyasu Saleh Ahmad, supervised the distribution during a training session held at Karma Guest Inn, Gusau, for health facilities desk officers to enhanced Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), referrals and Claims management of the reported data.

According to Nasiru Tukur Limantawa Public Relations Officer ZAMCHEMA in a statement, Dr Ahmad said that the initiative was aimed at improving data collection, reporting and management within the state’s healthcare system.

Dr. Ahmad explained that each of the 175 facilities in the state received a smartphone to enhance timely submission of health data, adding that the agency has also disbursed over ₦300,000,000 to the facilities to support operational activities.

He advised the heads of health facilities to utilize the smartphones strictly for the purpose of data collection and submission, warning that facilities that fail to send in their data at the end of the month would not receive their monthly capitation moving forward.

According to him, “The smartphones are provided to help you collect and send health data easily. If we do not see your data at the end of the month, your facility will not be paid.”

In his remarks, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Malam Bashir Sirajo Gusau, who is also a NIPSS Ambassador of Integrity and Leadership, commended ZAMCHEMA for providing the smartphones to health facilities.

He described the initiative as a milestone in the digital transformation of Zamfara’s healthcare system and urged beneficiaries to handle the devices responsibly.

Malam Bashir further warned that any facility that fails to send data as required would have its smartphone retrieved by the agency.

Also speaking, the executive secretary of the Zamfara State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Hussaini Yakubu Anka, applauded ZAMCHEMA for what he described as a massive and timely initiative aimed at improving healthcare service delivery across the state.

Dr. Anka warned that any health facility found misusing the smartphones would be dealt with accordingly, emphasizing that disciplinary measures will be taken against defaulters. “This time around, we will begin to set examples with anyone who fails to comply, In Shaa Allah,” he stated.