Pathfinder International, a non-governmental organisation has engaged civil society and the media in a two day capacity building on guidelines and principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Shading more light at the Custodian Hotel, venue of the training, Mr. Yusuf Nuhu, the program officer, reproductive health at Pathfinder International, said it is necessary for the members of Advocacy Working Group (AWG) to be equip with the requisite knowledge of the Universal Health Coverage and Basic Health Care Provision Fund to be able to monitor, track and engage decision makers on accountability and full implementation of the initiative.
He described the UHC/BHCPF as the Nigeria’s vehicle for promoting health coverage across all states of the federation in accordance with the provision of the Nigeria’s Act, adding that Universal Health Coverage is one of the component of the 17 strategic areas of the sustainable development goals SDGs.
Mr Yusuf Nuhu said Pathfinder is
not only concern about family planning or other reproductive health issues, but is also keen about overall health of the citizenry regardless of any difference.
The program officer, reproductive health, also noted that if UHC is fully implemented, human resource will be improved, health facilities strengthened and that people will have access to effective and high quality health care service delivery cutting across curative, preventive and rehabilitative measures among others.
Also responding to questions, the Gombe state chairman of Advocacy working Group on family planning, Alhassan Yahaya said that achieving the Universal Health coverage will guarantee drastic reduction of maternal mortality rate and as well as child morbidity rate in the state, adding that it will also reduce out of pocket expenditure on health issues among the people.
Alhassan Yahaya expressed confidence that the training will offer the AWG the opportunity to ascertain the way forward on monitoring, tracking ang engaging policy makers towards doing the needful for people of the state.