By our correspondent
The Federal Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for his administration’s significant strides in strengthening the healthcare system, particularly through increased funding and the revitalization of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.
The recognition came during a courtesy visit by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation.
Their visit, as gathered by WorldClass247News, was part of an ongoing engagement with state governments to support the implementation of the National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The initiative aims to improve coordination among federal, state, and local governments to enhance primary healthcare services, eradicate polio, and improve overall health outcomes.
Prof. Pate praised the remarkable progress achieved under Governor Yahaya’s leadership, pointing to data from the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) that highlights significant improvements in key health indicators.
Between 2018 and 2023, the state saw a 100% increase in deliveries by skilled birth attendants, rising from 19% to 38%. Additionally, the percentage of children receiving their first dose of the Penta vaccine rose by 78%, and the completion of the third dose increased by 131%.
Furthermore, the proportion of fully immunized children grew by 170%, and the modern contraceptive prevalence rate improved by 88%.
“The achievements in Gombe State are commendable,” Prof. Pate stated, adding that the state’s health budget has seen an 82% year-on-year increase since 2023. “Your leadership and investment in healthcare are evident,” he added, calling Gombe’s progress a model for other states.
Chris Elias of the Gates Foundation also praised Gombe’s leadership in healthcare reform, particularly its efforts to increase healthcare funding and implement sustainable reforms. “We have been following the impressive progress in Gombe’s healthcare system,” Elias said. “This visit allows us to learn from the state’s successes and explore further areas of collaboration.”
Governor Yahaya reflected on the challenges his administration faced upon taking office in 2019, including poor infrastructure, inadequate manpower, and limited funding.
He highlighted the initial low budget allocation for healthcare, which was just 3.5%, and noted that his administration declared a state of emergency in the sector, conducted a needs assessment, and introduced reforms to address the issues.
He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners to further improve healthcare delivery in the state.
“We deeply appreciate the support of the Federal Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” Governor Yahaya stated. “Our administration remains committed to ensuring that all residents of Gombe have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.”
With Gombe State emerging as a model for primary healthcare reform, stakeholders expressed optimism about the continued progress in the state’s health sector, reinforcing its role as a leader in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation.