By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
The Chairman Bauchi State Emirate Councils on Health, BASECCOH and Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman has charged traditional leaders, community structures, health specialists and relevant authorities to work together to achieve comprehensive coverage of immunisation and other essential health interventions in the state.
This is part of efforts by the State government to meet the objectives of the Universal Health Coverage UHC through effective mobilisation of the people across communities.
The Emir made the call at the 2025 Annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony for Best Performing Traditional Leaders, Community Resource Groups (CRGs) and 1st BASECCOH Review meeting,
Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu said the community mobilisation initiative is part of the mandate from the national level, implemented in partnership with the Federal, State Governments and traditional institutions to ensure communities actively participate in routine immunisation.
He said there are many health interventions in which traditional leaders are expected to work closely with health specialists and relevant authorities to implement particularly in the area of antenatal and postnatal care for pregnant and nursing mothers, routine immunisation among others.
The Chairman BASECCOH acknowledged the tireless efforts of District and Village Heads, particularly Ward Heads to provide active support towards improving the health status and wellbeing of people in their communities, leading to the award and recognition.
“Over the years, we have observed that many of our District and Village Heads, particularly the Mai Ungwas, have worked tirelessly to provide active support towards improving the health status and wellbeing of people in their communities.”
“In this regard, I would like to assure you that nothing goes unnoticed. Your efforts have been seen and appreciated, and today, you will be recognised and honoured for your outstanding performance and contributions in the field,” he added.
Earlier, the State Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Dambam stressed the importance of traditional institutions in supporting the State to meet the objectives of the Universal Health Coverage UHC through effective mobilization of the people.
Dr Dambam represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dauda Yakubu, reassured commitment to making healthcare services available to the people especially at the grassroots through collaborative partnerships in upgrading and equipping primary healthcare centers.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed explained that the award was to recognise the contributions of traditional leaders in achieving the objectives of effective and efficient service delivery in the health sector particularly at the primary level.
Dr Rilwanu stressed the need for the traditional leaders to be active in every aspect of their own community, to include case management of activities, issue of children’s education, and disease management by reporting any outbreak of disease.
“But today, we look at traditional institution as very important and vital in our activities, particularly in our case management of activities. Without the traditional rulers, we could not reach the community. So they are the backbone of our community.”
“So we need all our traditional rulers to know that not only issue of health, issue of education is shouldered on the traditional ruler of that area. If any child did not go to school and you are there, you have not done anything, then you are in trouble,” He added.
“Then in the area of disease management, we realize that traditional rulers are supposed to report any outbreak of disease in their environment to the nearest facility or to the health authority at local government level or at the cell level,” Rilwanu Mohammed noted.