NIGER ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES STATEWIDE OVERSIGHT, ENGAGES PHC DIRECTORS AND FACILITY IN-CHARGES

The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Nutrition and Primary Healthcare has continued its statewide oversight of primary healthcare delivery with an engagement with Directors, Facility In-Charges and Ward Development Committee (WDC) Chairmen from various Local Government Areas of the state.

According to a statement signed by Head of Information and Public Relations Department
Niger State House of Assembly Ruqayyah M. Tanko the engagement, held at the College of Nursing Sciences, Bida, brought together health officials from Bida, Gbako, Mokwa, Edati, Lavun, Agaie, Katcha and Borgu Local Government Areas as part of the Committee’s ongoing legislative oversight of primary healthcare facilities across the state.

The exercise was led by the Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Umar Nasir Paikoro, alongside other members of the Committee.

During the exercise, the Chairman reviewed documents presented by the various Local Government Areas as part of the Committee’s assessment of their performance, operations and utilisation of resources allocated to primary healthcare.

Hon. Paikoro explained that the engagement was part of the Committee’s legislative responsibility to monitor the performance of primary healthcare facilities, promote accountability and ensure that funds allocated for primary healthcare are properly utilised.

He clarified that the engagement was intended to follow up on the operations of primary healthcare facilities, identify challenges affecting service delivery and provide an opportunity for the Committee to interact directly with those responsible for healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

The Chairman noted that while the Executive Arm of Government was making efforts to improve the healthcare system in Niger State, the Legislature had a responsibility to complement those efforts through effective oversight, monitoring and accountability.

Hon. Paikoro observed that some officers in charge of healthcare facilities do not maintain proper records and urged them to ensure that all activities, meetings, expenditures and financial transactions are properly documented, with relevant receipts and supporting documents duly maintained.

He also urged Directors of Primary Healthcare to take full responsibility for the facilities under their supervision and ensure that proper administrative structures, order and respect for hierarchy were maintained.

The Chairman further called on Facility In-Charges and Ward Development Committee Chairmen to cooperate fully with the Directors and support efforts to identify and address healthcare needs within their respective communities.

The Committee commended the Directors of Primary Healthcare in Lavun and Katcha Local Government Areas for their performance, commitment and dedication towards ensuring that their facilities operate in line with established guidelines. The Committee encouraged them to sustain their efforts while urging other Directors to emulate their commitment.

Responding, the Directors appreciated the Committee for the engagement and assured the members that the observations and recommendations raised during the exercise would be carefully noted and implemented as required.

Also speaking, a representative of NiCare, Mrs. Maryam Shuaibu, PhD, briefed the participants on recent developments in the scheme and the importance of effective monitoring and oversight in maintaining standards and quality of healthcare delivery.

She explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) was established pursuant to Section 11 of the National Health Act 2014 as a government programme aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. According to her, the fund supports primary healthcare, health insurance, emergency care and other public health functions.

Mrs. Shuaibu also highlighted the mandatory introduction of the National Identification Number (NIN) for beneficiaries under the revised system and encouraged Directors and Facility In-Charges to sensitise members of their communities on the importance of NIN registration to facilitate enrolment.

The engagement forms part of the Niger State House of Assembly Health Committee’s ongoing statewide oversight exercise across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state, aimed at monitoring primary healthcare operations, promoting accountability, identifying challenges and supporting efforts to improve access to quality and sustainable healthcare services at the grassroots.