Bauchi Health Agency Decries USAID Activity Suspension, Calls It A Setback To Healthcare Services

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board (BSPHCDB) has described the temporary halt in the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a setback in Healthcare service delivery, especially relating to issues of childbirth spacing commodities.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed stated this yesterday while interacting with members of the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) in his office.

He noted that the suspension of the USAID activities has negatively impacted on the distribution of family planning commodities across the state.

Dr. Mohammed explained that USAID is responsible for last mile distribution of Family Planning (FP) communities to all primary healthcare facilities across the State before the halt which is now making it very difficult.

Rilwanu Mohammed added that there is increased demand for FP services at the community level but facilities are faced with stock out since most of the commodities are in the state medical stores.

“The Board is holding meetings to see how these commodities will reach all health facilities to prevent diversion”, the executive Chairman said.

He regretted that USAID had to stop its activities following the pronouncement by US President, Donald Trump.

Rilwanu Mohammed stated that Bauchi State government has released the sum of N50 million as counterpart funding for UNFPA supply of Family Planning commodities .

He commended members of J4PD for sustaining its demand creation on issues around Family Planning, immunization and other maternal, newborn and child health services.

Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed urged them to sustain the linkage between the board and J4PD promising to build the capacity of members to report accurately in order to improve information relating to healthcare delivery.