By Lizzy Carr
The Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project has engaged 100 skilled birth attendants ( SBAs)to work in maternity units across Primary Health Care Centers in Bauchi.
State commissioner of health Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam Said this will compliment government efforts in reducing maternal and infant mortality.
He was speaking at the orientation of the newly contracted SBAs held in Bauchi.
“Your engagement is to bridge the gap in human resources for health at the primary health care level which is the closest facilities to community members”.
The commissioner said the state government has sustain efforts in providing policy direction and funding to the health sector especially as it relates to women and children.
He warned that the State will note tolerant misconduct from any of them.
Project manager IMPACT project Dr Mohamed Adamu said the orientation is to define their roles, responsibilities, and the critical impact their work will have in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in the facilities the project is supporting.
“We at the project realized that the State has inadequate skilled birth attendants especially at the PHC level which is why IMPACT project engaged 100 SBAs comprising Community midwives and Community Health Extension Workers to promote safe delivery and reduce the indices of maternal and infant mortality”.
Dr Mohamed Adamu said these SBAs were picked from the pool of volunteers working in Primary Health Care Centers across the State.
He noted that the newly contracted SBAs have been deployed to maternity units where they are expected to manage normal and complicated labour, Antenatal care, postnatal and family planning services.
” To make they work comfortable, IMPACT has renovated existing accommodations and constructed new ones where it’s lacking, renovated 124 PHCs and provided them with solar power and boreholes”.
Dr Mohamed Adamu said the project will track performance using an online application that will be installed in their mobile phones detailing their locations.
“Also IMPACT will provide the latest 4D ultrasound machines to Secondary health facilities”.
“I want to inform you that anyone who doesn’t accept her place of posting should resigned honorably, your stipends will be sent directly to your various health facilities and before you resume your salary has been paid to the facility so the is no room for complaints”.
Executive Chairman Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board Dr Rilwanu Mohammed represented by the provost Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences Bauchi Rekiya Saleh said told the SBAs that their contract is to save the lives of pregnant women and children in underserved communities.
” Your work is also involve mobilising pregnant women to come to the facility for services, and you need to have an attitudinal change to be able to do that”.
Five SBAs have been deployed to each of the 20 local government areas of Bauchi state for an initial period of seven months pending if the project will be extended “.(www.krestnews.com).