By Rayyanu Bala.                                      Throughout last week and the better part of this week, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh of NAPHDA has had a particularly busy schedule, with official engagements consuming most of his time. From unscheduled visits to primary health centers to attending stakeholders’ meetings in both Lafia and Abuja, as well as presiding over steering committee meetings, his days have been packed, to say the least.
Since his assumption of office following his appointment as Executive Secretary of NAPHDA, Dr Saleh has deliberately mortgaged all his time to ensure NAPHDA has live up to its statutory functions, aligning with the agenda of Engr. Abdullahi sule on health sector reforms agenda in the state.
Under the leadership of Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NAPHDA) has achieved significant progress in improving healthcare access and outcomes for the people of the state. It is on record that Dr. Saleh has been instrumental in expanding and improving primary healthcare services across Nasarawa State. His leadership has led to the rehabilitation of numerous primary healthcare centers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This has made healthcare more accessible to a larger portion of the population.

On immunization which is one of the cardinal objectives of the agency, Dr Saleh worked assiduously to improved Immunization Coverage as under his guidance, NAPHDA has significantly improved immunization rates in Nasarawa State. The agency has successfully conducted large-scale immunization campaigns, ensuring that children and vulnerable populations are protected from preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and tuberculosis.

On maternal and child health initiatives, Dr. Saleh has prioritized maternal and child health, implementing various initiatives to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. This includes the distribution of essential maternal healthcare supplies, improving the capacity of health workers through training, and encouraging expectant mothers to seek antenatal care.

Being a medical specialist and someone who knows the importance of training and retraining of workforce, Dr Saleh has indeed, strengthening health workforce capacity under the agency. He overseen the training and retraining of health workers to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to provide quality healthcare. This has led to an increase in the efficiency of healthcare delivery at the primary level.

In every MDA’s collaboration with Stakeholders are very important such that any serious chief executive officer can only ignored it at his or her peril. In recognition of this, Dr. Saleh has fostered strong partnerships with both national and international stakeholders, including development partners, NGOs, and the federal government. These collaborations have led to the successful implementation of various health programs, including malaria prevention campaigns, health education, and the provision of essential medical supplies across all the PHC’s in the state. The agency, under Dr. Saleh’s leadership, has also embraced technology to improve healthcare delivery. The integration of digital health solutions, such as electronic medical records and mobile health platforms, has improved the tracking of health data, streamlined service delivery, and enabled better decision-making.

In the last five months and without any disputation, Dr. Saleh has championed various public health awareness campaigns, targeting issues such as hygiene, sanitation, and the prevention of diseases like cholera and Lassa fever. These campaigns have helped to educate the population and reduce the spread of preventable diseases. Through effective advocacy and leadership, Dr. Saleh has successfully mobilized resources for the agency, leading to improved funding for primary healthcare activities. This financial support has allowed for the procurement of medical equipment, renovation of healthcare facilities, and the provision of essential drugs and vaccines.

In summary, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh’s tenure as the head of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency has been marked by substantial improvements in healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and public health outcomes, benefiting the people of Nasarawa State. His focus on healthcare access, workforce capacity, and innovation has been crucial in achieving these successes. These achievements have made the agency’s headquarters in Lafia a sort of hub with everyone trying to associate himself with.