By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
A total of 23 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) have so far been renovated and upgraded in kaduna State in the three Senatorial zones of the state, in response to covid-19 pandemic.
The numbers include 8, 7 and 8 in Kaduna North, Central and Southern Zones respectively, according to “Rapid Assessment of COVID-19 Response by Kaduna State Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM)”.
The state PHC facilities have however reportedly recorded inadequate Personal Protective Equipment, despite their closeness to the people as the state respond to the outbreak of Covid-19.This was disclosed during the Media parley of #Oprn Kaduna health Sector and 3rd Quarter #Open Kaduna Health’ Sector Interactive Forum’s report conducted by KADMAM in the state.
The KADMAM reports also showed that 50% of facilities in the state recorded inadequate PPEs, while 30% health workers doesn’t even have the personal equipment.
In a report presented by Abdulrahman Mikail, Chairman, Evidence Sub-committee of KADMAM, during the #Open Kaduna Health Sector Scorecard, Wednesday in Kaduna, he stated that most facilities they assessed does not have the capacity to collect Covid-19 samples.
The report also said those with capacity have a near 100% result in comparison to the other facilities to the number of samples collected and that only one facility reported having a non-functional laboratory at the time of the survey.
“The PHCs being the first line of support to communities is relatively informed on the COVID-19 health protocols.
However, there is a shortfall in provision with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
“Almost 50% of the facilities have inadequate protective equipment with about 30% being without PPEs.” The report said.
KADMAM, however recommended that, “there is the need to provide sufficient PPEs to the health facilities as seme facilities recorded were receiving gloves and masks in pieces.
“There is the need to put in place a proper monitoring mechanism to ensure effective distribution and utilization of PPEs where available. The Facilities upgrade should be completed to provide sufficient space for operation as most offices are used for multiple functions simultaneously.
“Importantly all the Facilities especially PHCs need a review of the security architecture. The less than 30% PHCs that have at least two security personnel also complained of a lack of consistency and poor capacity to protect the facilities.
Reacting to the report, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mahmud Shuibu, noted though some of the 255 Primary Healthcare facilities in the state may not met the national requirement, but significant number of them can be said to be up to minimum standard and can provide minimum service required.
He commended KADMAM and some development partners that supported the survey, pledging the state government readiness at ensuring there is improvement.
Earlier in his opening remark, Co-chair of KADMAM, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare, noted that the 3rd quarter scorecard was unique because of program outline, which he said is new and has never been done that way.
Aside presentation of scorecard on spot check conducted on PPES to Health Facilities, a validation of harmonized drafts 2021 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the health sector in the state was also expected and also the presentation of third quarter Health Budget performance and other updates by the state Health ministry.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a substantial shock and set back across the globe. “It has stretched the health institutions even among the most developed nations. In Africa, it further exposed the level of readiness of the health facilities and the level of readiness of the health institutions to attend to emergencies. “The Health Sector’s response to COVID-19 in Nigeria has built on existing multi-sectorial efforts to address the ongoing challenges in the African Sub-region.
“The Joint Support Framework takes a whole-of-society and a whole-of-government approach to bring together all sectors and partners operating in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response from the national governmental authorities, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, academic and training institutes, donor agencies, and the affected population.”
To Understand the readiness and challenges embedded, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL) and the new LAFIYA project collaborate to support the Kaduna Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM). “The Open Government Partnership (OGP), the media, and other members of civil society to monitor 30 secondary Health Care Facilities and 66 Primary Health Care facilities to ascertain the level of impact of financial and other recourses so far in response to Covid-19 in Kaduna state”,
