By Emmanuel John, Lafia

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner with Nasarawa state  Government to boost primary health care delivery across the 13 local government councils in state.

The Director Integrity Delivery of the foundation, Mrs, Dona Hoving, who met with  Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, in Lafia to finalize plans for the partnership said this is a wonderful opportunity for the Gates Foundation to partner  with Nasarawa state government to make some real gains in health and extreme poverty.

She said the foundation has identified seven states in Nigeria as their potential partners, for which they shall assist in developing their health care centres.

The leader of the delegation further explained that their primary priority are poor people, particularly women and children in rural communities.

Responding,  Gov. Almakura expressed his happiness over the partnership and told the delegation that his administration has a template which is aimed at providing qualitative health delivery for all in the nearest future.

He explained that when he came on board the state had more than seven hundred primary health care centres half of which were mere consulting clinics.

He said the centres were reformed by his administration and centralised as primary health care development agencies.

According to him their operations were  standardised by ensuring accountability and discipline as well as synergy with other health centres across the state.

He then assured them of the state readiness to partner with the foundation and to ensure proper supervision to maintain standard.

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Nasarawa State Partner With Bill Gates Foundation On PHC Delivery.