Adegboyega Adeniyi

The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has launched free healthcare services for vulnerable and less previleged in the state targeting a total beneficiaries of 34,000 people drawn from the 14 local government areas of the state.

Significantly, Governor Bello Matawalle is the first governor in the country to launch this laudable programme of free healthcare services that will be extended to 34,000 vulnerable persons drawn from the 147 wards of the state for the next three years.

The governor disclosed at the launch that, the ‘Care for 34,000 Vulnerable Persons Programme’ will be coordinated through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in the state.

According to him, “a total of 231 beneficiaries will be selected from each of the 147 wards comprising 92 pregnant women, 116 U-5 children as well as 23 elderly and physically challenged persons will be enrolled into the scheme by a Committee that will soon be set up.

“With the construction of Primary Healthcare Centers, PHCs, spread across the 147 wards which will soon come into operations, beneficiaries of the scheme will not have to travel far to access services aimed at addressing and reducing maternal mortality and other health challenges especially at the rural area levels.

“Already, my administration has paid up its mandatory N100 million counterpart to access the fund for the effective, smooth and immediate take off of the scheme.”

Governor Matawalle commended the state legislators, labour unions, CSOs, traditional and religious leaders for their support in the attainment of the laudable feat in the state.

The lauching ceremony was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed Gayari, Chief of Staff Government House, Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman Gusau, Senator Lawal Hassan Dan-Iya, Emir of Gusau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello and members of the state Executives Council.