From Rashidat Suleiman, Minna
Niger State Government has taken delivery of 50 Motorcycles and 3 pickup trucks presented to it by Global Fund in collaboration with the Federal Government to combat Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Malaria, and HIV.
Governor Umaru Bago received the donated items at the Government House Minna on Wednesday.
The 3 pickup trucks are for each of the Programme Officers of Malaria, Tuberculosis/ Leprosy as well as HIV, while all the 25 Local Government Areas will have two motorcycles each for Health Field workers.
Governor Umaru Bago appreciated the Federal Government and the Global Fund for the gesture adding that, the gesture would help health workers to reach out to all the nooks and crannies of the State in combating Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV.
He assured that his administration will continue to prioritize the health of all its citizens, disclosed that the State Government has purchased drones to be used to supply drugs to flood prone areas and hard-to-reach areas.
He said some of the health workers will be trained on how to operate the drones while others will be sent abroad for retraining to ensure effective service delivery.
The Governor then cautioned beneficiaries of the donated items not to be found wanting, and to use the items to serve humanity to achieve the desired results.
He said some funds would be set aside for fuelling the vehicles for effective service delivery.
Commissioner for Tertiary Health, Dr.Tukur Bello in his remarks, said the State Government has been working tirelessly over the past few months in improving Primary Health Care and some public health programmes in the State and acknowledged the support received from development partners.
Dr. Bello also stressed that the Niger State Government is always in the good books of development partners for timely payment of counterpart funds.