For judicious utilization of previous grant, Kogi state will receive $1.6 million (N576m) from the Federal Government for health care, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has said.
The grant is from the Saving One Million Lives(SOML) counterpart fund to Kogi State government as “an incentive to do more’’ towards improving healthcare delivery in the state.
The state’s qualification for the extra grant is due to its judicious use of the previous $1.5m granted the state last year, according to Adewole.
The Minister stated this at the Flag-off ceremony of “Health Care Plus’’ intervention programme and the unveiling of delivery kit, post-partum haemorrhage pack and hypertensive pack, held yesterday in Lokoja.
Adewole called on other state governments to emulate the Kogi state government’s commitment by investing in health programmes that touch their citizens’ lives.
He also commended the Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, for his impressive response, initiative and commitment towards the improvement of the well-being of the citizenry as demonstrated through the investments and several rehabilitation projects recorded in the health sector across the state.
In his response, Governor Bello, said the ‘Health care Plus’ project was launched to further stem the tide of maternal and child mortality in Kogi state because of the benefit the citizens stood to gain.
The Governor added that the project was also a fulfillment of the pledge he made to the people when he assumed office two years ago.
He explained that the package would create a niche for itself in Nigeria as it comprises many positive peculiarities compared with similar projects across the country.
