Gov. Bagudu distributes free drugs to pregnant women, children in Kebbi.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

From Cyril Mbah, Birnin Kebbi.

Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has launched the distribution of free drugs to pregnant women and children under five years to enhance access to medical facilities in the state.
The drugs were procured by the state administration at the cost of two hundred million naira and will be distributed across all the local government areas in Kebbi State.
It was gathered that the drugs will be dispensed by all general hospitals and Primary Health Centres throughout Kebbi state in furtherance of efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare.
Performing the ceremony in Birnin Kebbi, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu acknowledged that the state government has achieved so much in the health sector and in healthcare delivery services in both rural areas and urban centres.
The governor commended his wife, a Medical Doctor, Dr.Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her immense support, determination and mentorship towards improving the health status of the populace, especially as it affects cancer control and treatment.
He expressed delight that Kebbi state was in the forefront of introducing indigent cancer fund to help cancer patients.
Senator Bagudu also recalled medical outreaches conducted in the state by the government and informed the audience that a nurse confessed to him that she appreciated such exercise tremendously because she was opportuned to work with medical professionals from around the world.
The governor was similarly full of commendation for the entire staff in the health sector, development partners and other stakeholders who made it possible to attain the remarkable health indices in Kebbi state.
Senator Bagudu announced that his administration has released two hundred million naira to be shared among all the General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres in the state, to cushion the hardship faced by health workers and patients arising from the naira redesign policy.
In her remark, 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 the incumbent administration to improve the health of women and children.
Dr.Zainab explained that the support fund of two hundred million naira to hospitals approved by her husband will mitigate difficulties brought about by the present cash crunch, stating that it was done in the spirit of good governance.
The wife of the governor indicated that the pioneer health institution in the state would receive five million naira, all general hospitals four million naira each while primary health centres and other categories would enjoy proportionate amount.
Commissioner for Health, Rt. Hon. Ja’afar Muhammad announced that the drugs for pregnant women and children were procured following the approval of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu while two hundred million naira will 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.
Ja’afar Muhammad said the health consumables included energetics, antibiotics, anti malarials, nutrition supplements, surgical materials, cancer treatment consumables, antidiaroelics, anti hypertensives ANC supplements, infusion/other intravenous fluids, general consumables, syringes, cotton wool and gloves as materials provided by the government for relevant treatment.
Goodwill messages were received from Nutritional Internationalist, Michael Abdu from Global Health Supply Chain, Chief Samu Kola from Breakthrough Nigeria, Dr. Abdurrashid Bello from International Health Programme, Dr. Sule Mele from the World Health Organization, and Sheikh Suhaib from UNICEF.
Meanwhile, Governor Bagudu was among multitudes of Muslim faithfuls at the Juma'a Mosque who attended the funeral prayers for Alhaji Bilyaminu Haruna Crashed who passed on after a brief illness.
Immediately afterwards, the governor accompanied by former Minister of Internal Affairs, retired Major General Muhammadu Magoro, Senator Bala Ibn Na-Allah, Senator Abubakar Na-Amo Abdullahi, Kebbi State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu condoled with the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar on the death of his cousin, praying Allah to grant him Aljannah Firdausi and his family fortitude to bear the loss.
Born in 1959, in Birnin-Kebbi to the 18th Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Haruna Rasheed, late Alhaji Bilyaminu attended Haliru Abdu Teachers College and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi. He served as a teacher and staff of Sokoto State Board of Internal Revenue.
Late Bilyaminu Haruna Rasheed was a keen politician and member of Gwandu Emirate Council. He was appointed Chigarin Gwandu and upgraded to Iyan Gwandu as traditional title holder by the Emir of Gwandu on the 17th December 2022.
Late Iyan Gwandu is survived by two wives, children and grandchildren