Gombe, GAVI, UNICEF celebrate improved health outcomes for children, mothers
The Gombe State government, in collaboration with Global Alliance Initiative (GAVI) and UNICEF, has celebrated the close-out of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening the state’s primary healthcare system.
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State while speaking in Gombe on Friday at a ceremony to mark the close-out of the GAVI/State-funded Primary Health Care MoU in the state, highlighted key achievements of the partnership.
Yahaya who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, the Secretary to the State Government said the state had utilised the resources from the partnership to support healthcare service delivery, renovate facilities and train frontline health workers.
He stated that within the past three years, a lot of “remarkable” achievements and success stories had been recorded in the health sector resulting in improvement in health outcomes for children and women in the state.
He stated that primary health facilities were either constructed or upgraded providing 24 hours healthcare services to rural and urban communities.
According to him, over 154,394 beneficiaries were enrolled into the state’s health insurance scheme ensuring improved access and essential medical services.
“I’m delighted to report significant progress in maternal and child health indicators, indicating immunisation, antenatal care and hospital delivery as revealed by the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey 2024.
“This achievement is a testament to the substantial investment made by all parties involved in the MOU.
“We are grateful for the support from our MOU partners including financial and technical assistance,” he said.
Yahaya commended development partners for the quick intervention and refurbishing of the Gombe Central Medical Store that was burnt by fire in 2024.
For her part, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office stated that the state had within the three years improved health outcomes for children and mothers by strengthening PHC systems and routine immunisation services.
Rafique said that 440 trained health workers were recruited and distributed to PHC facilities across the 114 wards which ensured availability of at least 2 skilled health workers to support maternal and newborn services.
She said that 11 cold stores, five PHC centres were renovated while two vehicles (Hilux), 40 motorcycles, 140 cold chain equipment were procured and distributed to ensure improved access to potent vaccines.
While listing the key achievements, she said “24,874 vulnerable women and children were enrolled under health insurance scheme in the 4 priority zero dose LGAs
“Percentage of pregnant women supported at birth by a skilled health worker increased from 21.1 to 37.9 percent between 2018 and 2024 (80% increase)
“Percentage of women with postnatal check during the first 2 days after birth increased from 25.1 to 44.9 percent between 2018 and 2024 (79% increase)
“Children vaccinated with pental 1 increased from 37.3 to 66.0 per cent between 2018 and 2024 (77% increase)
“Children fully immunised (all basics vaccinations) increased from 18.2 to 49.2 per cent between 2018 and 2024 (170% increase),” she said.
Rafique said that the MOU program also supported the development of the 2025 Gombe State health sector Annual Operational Plan (AOP) as the instrument for sustainability of the MoU program.
She called for sustainability of the program through prompt release of fund for implementation of the AOP, mainstreaming the 440 health workers into State civil service amongst others.
She commended the state government, LGAs, traditional leaders and other stakeholders for the success recorded within the period under review.
