SOKOTO'S HEALTH SECTOR WITNESSING A REVAMP

SOKOTO'S HEALTH SECTOR WITNESSING A REVAMP

By Sani Umar

As the saying goes, “health is wealth.” Sokoto State is currently witnessing unprecedented reforms in its health sector, driven by purposeful leadership that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens as the surest foundation for growth and development.

There is no doubt that no nation can thrive without a healthy and vibrant population. Only a people free from illness and guided by sound health practices can drive sustainable development and economic prosperity.

It is therefore not surprising that the current leadership in the state, under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has fully embraced this global prerequisite by making healthcare a core component of his SMART agenda. 

The vision is to build a healthy population by safeguarding infants from preventable diseases that threaten survival and productivity.

To this end, endemic childhood diseases are receiving uncommon attention through the provision of essential drugs and the expansion of immunization coverage for both routine and integrated immunization campaigns for oral poliovirus (cVPV2), measles rubella (MR), and the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Mothers are being encouraged to attend antenatal clinics from the early stages of pregnancy to prevent complications and other avoidable health challenges, while children are provided with the necessary care for healthy growth.

 The launching of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) in the state is a clear testimony to Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality in Sokoto.

Sokoto, which for years battled high maternal mortality rates, is now witnessing a gradual turnaround. 

This progress is largely due to the diligence and commitment of health professionals who have keyed into Governor Aliyu’s resolve to reposition the health sector and leave it far better than he met it.

One of the major challenges that confronted the Sokoto health sector in the past was the acute shortage of skilled manpower, a problem largely attributed to the neglect and poor planning of the previous administration. 

This shortage severely affected healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas, and became a major concern for the Ahmed Aliyu-led government.

Determined to reverse the trend, Governor Aliyu wasted no time after assuming office in addressing the situation.

 He ordered the immediate recruitment of additional health professionals, with special emphasis on midwifery services, to strengthen maternal and child healthcare across the state.

Driving this initiative was the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, himself a seasoned health professional who acted as the catalyst for the programme. Under his supervision, the ministry swiftly mobilized the newly recruited workers to various primary healthcare centres across the state.

In a bold move to ensure wider coverage, the ministry deployed 1,500 nurses and midwives to health facilities across the state within the last two years. One of the unique steps taken was the posting of 209 midwives to 109 primary healthcare centres, while a two-year compulsory posting of additional health professionals to rural communities also commenced. 

This deliberate strategy reflects the administration’s commitment to inclusiveness, equity, and fairness in the distribution of healthcare services.

The far-reaching decision was primarily aimed at reducing the worrisome rates of maternal mortality and morbidity that had plagued Sokoto for years. 

Encouragingly, the proactive measures have already begun to yield results, as the state records a steady decline in deaths among pregnant women and children, a clear testimony to the effectiveness of the Aliyu administration’s people centered health reforms.

Building on this strong foundation, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has matched his words with action through deliberate investments in health infrastructure, manpower development, and service delivery. Across the state, old facilities are being renovated while new ones are springing up to bring healthcare closer to the people.

A major milestone in this regard is the ongoing renovation and upgrading of general hospitals across the three senatorial zones. 

These include the General Hospitals in Wurno, Silame, Kebbe, and Gwadabawa, among others, each receiving comprehensive attention in terms of modern equipment, expanded wards, improved sanitary conditions, solar power installations, and borehole drilling. 

The objective is to restore public confidence in government-owned hospitals and reduce the pressure on the few tertiary health facilities within the metropolis.

In addition, the administration has ensured a steady supply of essential drugs to all primary healthcare centres through the State Drug Management Agency, eliminating the longstanding problem of shortages that often forced patients to seek expensive alternatives.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to human capital development is equally visible in the recruitment and training of health personnel. 

Hundreds of qualified doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health extension workers have been employed and deployed to various health centres, particularly in rural communities.

 This move has not only enhanced service delivery but also bridged the manpower gap that crippled healthcare in the past.

The government’s maternal and child health initiatives have also received renewed vigour. With improved antenatal and postnatal care, Sokoto’s health indices are steadily improving. Special attention is given to immunization campaigns and nutrition programmes targeted at children under five, ensuring that preventable diseases are drastically reduced and childhood mortality brought to the barest minimum.

Beyond infrastructure and personnel, the administration has strengthened collaboration with development partners and donor agencies, ensuring Sokoto State remains a frontline beneficiary of national and international health interventions.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s vision for the health sector is clear: to build a system that guarantees affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all residents of Sokoto State, regardless of location or status.

Umar is SSA Online and President, Sokoto liberal Democrats Media Foundation