Zamfara has emerged the best performing State in the North western Nigeria at the Nigerian Governors Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge, a flagship programme supported by the Nigeria Governors Forum, National Primary Health care Development Agency, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, Aliko Dangote, UNICEF to revamp the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR).
The policy is to maximize the commitment of State Governors to promoting progressive increase in Primary Health Care (PHC) funding in the country.
Nigerian Governors Forum NGF organized the event as part of the induction for Governors in Abuja, the nation’s capital to support partners’ aim to the State Governments to perform well in the health sector.
States in the geo-political zones in the country participated in the challenge where each winning State got cash reward.
Highlights of the event has shown that, Zamfara State from North-West, Abia from South-East, Ogun from South-West, Edo from Southern Nigeria and Bauchi from North-East are rewarded with a cash price of $400,000 equivalent to N185,368,000 each.
In a remark, UNICEF Representatives in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate unveiled that 13 states got awarding prices to the tune of $6.1 million, in recognition and honour of the exceptional leadership of governors who have made significant investments in Primary Health Care, ultimately transforming the lives of women, girls and children across the nation.
She disclosed that, the Awards highlight the value placed on progress made towards primary health care and will be used by the winning States to further strengthen their existing efforts and initiatives for primary health care.
Commenting on the development, Zamfara State Commissioner for Health Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar MC Danmasanain Tsafe attributed the feat to the untiring effort of the present administration and dedication by stakeholders in the entire health sector of the State.
On his part, Executive Secretary State Primary Health Care Board Dr. Tukur Isma’il said the development was a breakthrough to the health family and people of the State.
Report says, Borno State emerged best performing State among 36 States of a cash reward of $700,000 and $500, 000 concurrently.