The Yobe Government and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, launched a challenge to improve Primary Health Care (PHC) services at the grassroots.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, Damaturu on Thursday after the State Executive Council meeting.
He said that the challenge, tagged ‘Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge (PHC Challenge)’ would provide financial incentives to local government areas that achieve best results in primary healthcare services.
According to him, the competition is designed to encourage innovation and accelerate progress.
The commissioner added that while UNICEF would manage the challenge and provide technical assistance to the local councils, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s funding would ensure sustainability.
Bego further said that the state executive council had approved several other initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents.
He noted that the council approved the establishment of three new weather stations in Damaturu, Machina and Gulani local government areas respectively.
He said the stations would provide valuable data on climate patterns, which could be used to inform agricultural practices and improve food security.
The commissioner said the council also approved variations in funding for several road constructions across the state.
The roads, according to him include Chumbusko-Tagali road, Damaturu-Kalallawa (left side), Nguru-Balanguwa road, and Balanguwa-Kumaganam road.
Bego added that the executive council also approved funding for the rehabilitation and extension of the Banquet Multipurpose Hall at the Government House in Damaturu.
He explained that the project would improve government facilities and provide a suitable venue for hosting of important events.
SOURCE: NAN