The Jigawa State Government has announced that residents suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell disease will now receive free healthcare services. This initiative, part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve public health, was revealed by Mr. Sagir Musa, the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, in a statement released on Friday in Dutse.
Musa stated that the State Executive Council, during its meeting on Thursday, decided to extend the existing Free Maternal Neonatal and Child Healthcare (FMNCH) program to include these additional conditions. The program will now provide free treatment for hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell across all government-owned hospitals in the state’s 27 local government areas.
The council also approved the disbursement of N179.2 million as Direct Facility Financing (DFF) to accredited Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). Additionally, 17 more PHCs have been approved for inclusion in the first and second quarters of 2024, under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Further, the council sanctioned N69.1 million for the payment of monthly stipends to 79 Midwives and Community Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) Agents.
The commissioner also noted the approval of a work plan for the implementation of the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project. Supported by the World Bank, the IMPACT Project will allocate N1.2 billion in 2024 for the revitalization of 161 Primary Healthcare Centres in Jigawa.
