Gov Bagudu launches distribution of free drugs to pregnant women, children in Kebbi

By: Abdullahi Faruk, Birnin Kebbi

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has launched the distribution of free drugs to pregnant women and children under five procured by his administration at the cost of two hundred Million Naira.

The drugs are being distributed to all General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres across 21 LGAS of the state in furtherance of efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare services.

While declaring the free drugs distribution in Birnin Kebbi, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu acknowledged that the state government has achieved a lot, in the health sector both rural and urban areas.

The Governor commended his wife, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her immense support, determination and mentorship towards improving the healthcare services of the populace, specifically identifying her giant leap in cancer fight and treatment. He said the state was in the forefront of introducing indigent cancer fund to assist cancer patients across 21 LGAS.

The governor, announced that his administration has also released two hundred million naira to be shared among all the General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres in the state, to cushion the hardship of health workers and patients arising from the naira redesign policy.

In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, said the free distribution of drugs to pregnant women and children was not the first time of such intervention by incumbent administration to improve the health of women and children in the state.

She also explained that the support fund of two hundred Million Naira to hospitals approved by her husband is to mitigate difficulty brought about by present cash crunch was in the spirit of good governance from a responsive good government.

The Commissioner for Health, Rt. Hon. Ja’afar Muhammad announced that the drugs for pregnant women and children were procured at the cost of Two Hundred Million Naira following the approval of Governor while the Chief Executive of the State also approved the release of another two hundred Million Naira to be shared among hospitals as relief from the effect of the cashless policy.

The commissioner thanked the Governor for alleviating the health needs of women and children as well as the elderly, saying that the gesture was highly benevolent because most patients could not afford to buy drugs.

The acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. Shehu Nuhu Koko thanked Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for graciously approving the procurement of the drugs being distributed and also approving support fund to hospitals to alleviate suffering brought about by naira redesign policy.

Dr. Shehu Nuhu Koko extended similar appreciation to the wife of the Governor Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her contribution to the health sector and providing necessary support to the care and treatment for cancer patients.