The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Health has called on the state government to employ more staff into the state Aids Control Agency and the state Infectious Disease Control and Research Centre.

This, according to the committee, is to enhance productivity and end the continuous engagement of casual staff at the agencies.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Larry Ven-Bawa, made the call when the managements of NASACA and NASIDARC appeared before it on their 2024 budget performances on Monday.

Mr Ven – Bawa said that employment of workers into the agencies would ensure effective service delivery and boost the health status of the people of the state.

The committee chairman said that they decided to invite them to assess their 2024 budget performances for the first quarter.

He said “The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Danladi Jatau, has directed the House Standing Committees to embark on oversights to the MDAs to assess their 2024 budget performances. Ours is to assess your performances as we want to know your achievements and challenges, if there are any.’’

Mr Ven-Bawa assured of the committee’s readiness to support them to succeed.

He stated, “Health is wealth, we will continue to support and collaborate with you in the interest of the health of our people and for the overall development of the state.’’

The lawmaker also appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for his passion in developing the health sector and called for the sustenance of the gesture.

Earlier, the Director of Finance and Accounts, NASIDARC, Sani Mohammed and the Executive Director, NASACA, Dr Ruth Bello, who presented their budget performances separately before the committee appreciated the lawmakers for supporting them to succeed.

They also thanked Mr Sule for prioritising the health sector in the state.

 Mr Mohammed, however, said that inadequate overhead cost, shortage of manpower and under-funding, among others, were some of the challenges facing them.

Mr Bello also enumerated some of the challenges facing them to include low overhead cost, understaffing and inadequate office accommodation, among others.

(NAN)