The Sokoto State Government, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation have contributed over N494 million for the development of primary healthcare in the state.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.
Tambuwal made the disclosure at the opening of the 15th Annual Scientific Conference of the National Association of Peri-operative Nurses of Nigeria.
The conference has as its theme: “Harmonising for Patients’ Safety: A Multi-Disciplinary Surgical Team Approach.”
Tambuwal, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Buhari Kware, said the state government had since released over N148 million of the money.
He said: “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has since released over N173 million to the fund, while N173 million contribution of the Dangote Foundation is being awaited.
” The funds are being pooled under a quadruple agreement signed with the state government, the two foundations and the Targeted High Impact States Project.
“The agreement was reached sequel to the recent signing of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency Bill into law.”
The governor said the gesture was aimed at bringing primary healthcare under the “same roof” in the state.
Tambuwal said the measure would create a basket of funds to be used for the improvement of the health sector.
The National President of the association, Adeyeni Babatunde, said the conference would discuss ways of improving the standards of practice of the profession in operation rooms.
“This will help toward increased patients’ satisfaction through quality surgical nursing care,” Babatunde said.
The Sokoto State Chairman of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Atiku, commended the government for its support in promoting its goals, especially in sponsoring members in various educational pursuits.
NAN.