… Says Taraba Children Need More Investment

By Femi Bolaji

The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, has urged the Taraba State government to honour its co-financing obligation in the three-year pact signed with the humanitarian organization to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

UNICEF noted that children in the state still need more investment to sustain the successes recorded in the last two and a half years.

The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Tushar Rane, spoke at a one-day retreat with Taraba State government officials, policymakers, and LGA chairmen on the ownership and sustainability of PHC-MoU implementation in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Dr. Rane explained that the gains recorded in Taraba’s health sector over the last two and a half years, particularly in coverage, improved manpower, and immunization drives, should not be allowed to wither.

He emphasized that the state needs to take full ownership of the PHC-MoU implementation to sustain successes and gain more ground.

According to him, “We are in the last year of the PHC-MoU investment, and Taraba State government needs to take full ownership of its implementation and achievements.

“The government must reinforce its efforts to sustain and improve on these achievements.

“Just as I advocated during my recent call on the office of the deputy governor, Aminu Alkali, in Jalingo, I once again encourage the state government to mainstream the 450 health workers engaged through PHC-MoU into civil service.

“While we appreciate where we are, we must not lose focus on where we should be.

“The children of Taraba State need more investments and more work from us to ensure none of them is left behind.

“The state government also needs to honour its outstanding co-financing obligation for Year 1, Year 2, and the 3rd year of the MoU.”

Taraba State Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, who also spoke, said the government would ensure it sustains the gains of the pact by making every necessary investment required.

He stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Primary Health Care delivery between GAVI/UNICEF was inherited by their administration, but they are resolute in ensuring the state government does not fail in this regard.