Govt releases N41m counterpart fund to health partners

The Kogi Government says it has released N41 million counterpart fund for all programmes supported by health development partners in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Audu, made the disclosure at the 2017 stakeholders meeting on the Review and Planning of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), in Lokoja on Tuesday.

“I am happy to inform you that Gov. has approved and released N41 million counterpart fund for all programmes supported by our health development partners, including NTDs.

“This action is an affirmation of his commitment to the health of the people of Kogi. It confirms that their happiness is paramount to him,” he said.

He thanked Sightsavers, handlers of Onchocerciasis, for supporting the state on the NTDs project in addition to its original mandate of helping the blind.

Earlier, the State’s NTDs Project Coordinator, Mr Albert Alabi, had said that the meeting would review the extent of implementation of programme lined up in 2016, and also develop 2017 action points.

“The meeting will also identify strengths, best practices, challenges and develop measures for mitigating the challenges as a way forward.

“It will equally afford us the opportunity to draw up the 2017 local government area work plan, share treatment targets and draw up strategies for achieving them,” Alabi said.