The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (BASAM) has commended the Bauchi State Government for prioritising healthcare delivery, while calling for stronger collaboration to improve Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) outcomes across the state.
The Deputy Co-chair (Civil Society Organisations), Zainab Hassan, gave the commendation during advocacy visits to key health agencies in the state.
At the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BASPHCDB), she urged closer partnership between BASAM and the Board to strengthen interventions aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health indicators.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of BASPHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, appreciated the visit, describing BASAM as a valuable stakeholder in the health sector.
He noted that the Board played a key role in the establishment of BASAM and commended the organisation for its sustained advocacy for improved RMNCAH+N services in Bauchi State. He assured the delegation of the Board’s commitment to supporting BASAM’s activities.
The advocacy team also visited the Bauchi State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency (DMMA), where it called for the regular and timely distribution of drugs and other medical consumables, particularly life-saving commodities, across the state.
BASAM further advocated effective monitoring of the utilisation of such commodities by end users, with particular emphasis on contraceptives.
The Managing Director of DMMA, Pharmacist Abdulkadir Ahmed, thanked BASAM for the visit, describing its recommendations as a reminder that civil society organisations are closely monitoring the performance of government agencies.
According to him, such oversight helps government identify gaps and challenges requiring prompt intervention.
Ahmed reaffirmed the Agency’s support for BASAM and encouraged its members to extend their advocacy to health facilities to assess, first-hand, the management and utilisation of drugs and medical consumables.
He said feedback from such visits would provide the Agency with valuable information for evidence-based decision-making and improved service delivery.
The advocacy visits are expected to continue in the coming days as BASAM engages other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen accountability and improve healthcare outcomes in Bauchi State.
