The Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA), in collaboration with the Hope Compassion & Mercy (HCM) Foundation, has commenced the implementation of the Shift-Based Patient Counting (SBC) initiative in Balanga and Akko Local Government Areas.
The initiative began with entry visits to the two LGAs following a recent Training of Trainers (ToT) for representatives from both councils to facilitate the rollout across selected primary healthcare facilities.
The SBC initiative is designed to strengthen routine documentation, reporting and validation of health service delivery data, generating reliable information to support evidence-based planning, efficient resource allocation and improved performance of primary healthcare services.
During the visits, HCM Foundation Programme Manager, Joy Ikott, and Project Officer, Jerry Anjugu, said the initiative would enhance the quality and timeliness of routine health data while supporting informed planning and decision-making at the local government level.
The meetings, attended by officials of the GSPHCDA, Primary Healthcare Coordinators, programme officers and focal persons from the two LGAs, focused on implementation strategies, including plans to train Health Facility Officers-in-Charge and Medical Records Officers.
Coordinated by the Agency’s Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, the discussions highlighted the importance of quality documentation and the effective use of routine health data to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
The Primary Healthcare Coordinators of Balanga and Akko LGAs welcomed the initiative and pledged their full support, expressing confidence that improved routine data systems would enhance planning, monitoring and service delivery across Gombe State.