By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A total of Eighty-three health support volunteers who excelled in the discharge of their functions of mobilization for access to healthcare facilities for services in the year 2025 in Bauchi State have been recognised and given awards of excellence to serve as a morale booster.
The ceremony was organized by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with the Bauchi State Emirate Councils Committee on Health and Mobilization (BASECCOH), on Thursday.
The award recipients included Forty-eight Mai Unguwas (Community Leaders) chosen from all the Emirates and Chiefdom of the State, Twenty Mama2Mama members across the LGAs and Fifteen Community Reorientation Women Network (CRoWN) agents from the LGAs.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said that the recognition was to serve as morale booster for the volunteers who are impacting the health sector positively even without receiving any stipend.
According to him, the recognition was a way of the Board appreciating them and saying “Thank you” for influencing improved services delivery especially attending antenatal, delivery and postnatal services by pregnant women and nursing mothers.
He assured that the Board will continue to support them in any little way it can In order to ensure that they support the efforts of government.
In a presentation on the roles and responsibilities traditional rulers in primary healthcare delivery, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Dass, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman, with the theme: Sustaining Grassroots Mobilization and Community-Led Interventions for Universal Health Coverage”, said that,
“Primary Health Care remains the foundation of a healthy society. In Bauchi State, traditional institutions have continued to play a vital role in supporting the delivery of these services through active participation in the Bauchi State Emirates Council’s Committee on Health (BASECCOH) and the State Task Force on Primary Health Care.”
According to him, “As traditional leaders, our responsibility begins with strategic leadership. Through our participation in the State Task Force, we work closely with government authorities to review health interventions, identify challenges, and ensure that decisions taken at the state level are effectively communicated and implemented within our communities.”
The Emir added, “We also recognize the importance of community mobilization. Our influence at the grassroots level enables us to encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal care services, seek skilled delivery in health facilities, and complete postnatal visits.”
“We will continue to support routine immunization activities and advocate for maternal, child health, and nutrition interventions that improve the wellbeing of families across Bauchi State,” he added.
The Emir stressed that, “Furthermore, traditional leaders are deeply involved in monitoring and accountability mechanisms. We conduct supportive visits to health facilities, encourage quality service delivery, and collaborate with health authorities in disease surveillance and early outbreak reporting.”
According to him,”We also support the establishment and effective functioning of Ward Development Committees and Village Community Mobilizers who serve as important links between communities and healthcare providers.”
He then said, “Today’s ceremony demonstrates our commitment to recognizing excellence. By honoring high-performing Mai Unguwas, Community Resource Groups, volunteers, and health workers, we reinforce the culture of dedication, accountability, and community service that is essential for achieving better health outcomes.”
He therefore called on all stakeholders, government agencies, development partners, community leaders, and citizens to sustain the collective efforts, stressing, “Together, we can strengthen grassroots mobilization, improve healthcare utilization, reduce preventable diseases, and move closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage for all our people.”
Some of the beneficiaries of the recognition and awards, expressed appreciation to the Organizers saying even though they are not receiving monetary rewards, the recognition will spur them to do more for the people.
During the ceremony, the Emir of Dass and Co-chair of Bauchi State Taskforce on Primary Healthcare as well as Chairman, Bauchi State Emirates Council Committee on Health and Mobilization (BASECCOH), Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman, was recognized and honored for his doggedness and commitment to promoting health.
