By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency (DMMA) has intensified its efforts to improve access to affordable and quality essential medicines across public health institutions in the state.
As part of its mandate to ensure the continuous availability of essential drugs, the agency has enrolled 352 healthcare facilities into the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme. The enrolled facilities include 1 tertiary hospital, 27 secondary health facilities, and 324 primary healthcare centres, representing 30% of public health institutions in the state.
In a fresh push to expand coverage at the grassroots, Governor Senator Bala Mohammed has approved the onboarding of 248 additional healthcare facilities, alongside the release of funds for their capitalization.
This brings the total number of DRF-compliant health facilities in the state to 600.
The Managing Director of DMMA, Abdulkadir Ahmed, confirmed that following the governor’s approval, a multi-sectoral assessment team—comprising pharmacists, essential drugs officers, logistics personnel, and M&E experts from the State Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, DMMA, the State Primary Health Care Board, the Hospital Management Board (HMB), and the Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA)—has been dispatched to conduct readiness assessments across 262 proposed facilities from the 20 local government areas.
He commended the state government for its commitment to reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for residents.
The ongoing assessment exercise is expected to last four days.
Upon completion, the number of health facilities participating in the DRF scheme will rise from 30% to 50%, marking a significant milestone in the state’s drive to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure sustained access to essential medicines.
Read more on www.krestnews.com