USAID Organizes Capacity-Building Training for Sokoto, Zamfara Health Agencies

By Iyojo Ameh

The USAID-funded Local Health System Sustainability Project has commenced a capacity-building training for staff of Sokoto and Zamfara State Contributory Healthcare Management Agencies.

The training, held at Azbir Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, is designed to enhance the skills of participants for effective implementation of healthcare schemes in their respective states.

Speaking at the opening session, the Director General of Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (SOCHEMA), Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, highlighted the significance of the program.

He noted that the training is timely as Sokoto State prepares to roll out its formal sector healthcare scheme.

“This training is crucial for equipping you with the skills needed to implement the formal sector healthcare program successfully,” he said. Abdulkarim expressed gratitude to USAID for facilitating the initiative and urged participants to actively engage and apply the knowledge gained for the betterment of their agencies.

Advocacy Efforts to Promote the Formal Sector Healthcare Scheme

In preparation for the full implementation of the formal sector healthcare program, SOCHEMA has also intensified advocacy efforts, visiting key ministries, departments, and agencies in Sokoto State.

During visits to the Sokoto State Head of Civil Service and the Sokoto Agricultural Development Project (SADP), Abdulkarim explained the objectives and benefits of the healthcare scheme. He emphasized that the program aligns with Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration’s commitment to improving healthcare under its nine-point agenda.

“This scheme will provide comprehensive healthcare services to civil servants and their families, ensuring improved welfare and productivity,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary for Administration and General Services, Alhaji Sama’ila Wali, who represented the Head of Civil Service, commended SOCHEMA for its proactive approach. He urged the agency to ensure the inclusion of well-trained personnel for smooth implementation.

Similarly, SADP Program Manager Abubakar D. Muhammad and Sokoto Fertilizer Supply Company representative Umar Bello Wamakko expressed their appreciation for the advocacy visit. They pledged to disseminate the information to their staff and support the program’s success.

The Sokoto formal sector healthcare scheme aims to enhance access to quality healthcare services for civil servants and their dependents, marking a significant step towards improving health outcomes in the state.