Stakeholders Working in the Health Sector in Bauchi Advocated Increased Budgetary Line for ISS Project.
By Muhammad Babayo ASHA
Participants at a day workshop in Bauchi advocated increased budgetary line for Integrated Supportive Supervision ISS to enhance effective healthcare service delivery from the grassroots.
They also unanimously advocate releases of fund budgeted for Integrated Supportive Supervision activities in the state.
The multi stakeholders dialogue was convened by the Health System Strengthening Cluster of the SCALE, a USAID funded five year project being implemented by Palladium in collaboration with Nigerian Resource Partners RPs.
In his submission the Anchor Mr Nkem Ogbonna explained that the project which is a heath system strengthening cluster is titled, Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through Integrated Supportive Supervision.
” ….. the cluster comprises of six civil society organizations across the country Viz; Life Transformation for African Initiative, Council for Affirmative Action, Women with Disability Integrity and Development Initiative, Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organizations and Better Life Restoration Initiative serving as the anchor organizations … ” Mr Nkem Ogbonna said.
Mr Nkem Ogbonna who is also the Programme Manager Better Life Restoration Initiative BERI expressed concern over the non release of Integrated Supportive Supervision funds for the first Quarter of 2024.
While stressing that the project is also partnering with the organized private sector to attract funding and support from stakeholders the Anchor called for a synergy between all health MDAs that conduct Facility supervision to eliminate duplication and save cost.
” …. there is the need to create an expanded Technical Working Group that utilize the ISS outcomes in mobilizing resources for gap closures in the health system of the state….” Mr Nkem Ogbonna suggested.
In a presentation, the Director Monitoring and Evaluation in the State Primary Health Care Development Agency Adamu Musa Bara highlighted challenges of Integrated Supportive Supervision activities in the state to include, high cost of transportation, dwindling resources.
Others are, retirement of trained and certified supervisors, inadequate Human Resource for Health and lesser coverage of facilities, due limited resources that focuses on Main PHCs per Ward.
Earlier, the member House Committee on Health Alhaji Yahaya Ahmad Maikudi assured the stakeholders that they will do their best to provide legislative support for ISS activities in the state.
The meeting has in attendance representative from Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Civil Society and Non Governmental Organizations among others critical stakeholders.
