Gombe Govt Trains One-Health Officers To Enhance Health Security

In a concerted effort to address emerging healthcare challenges, the Gombe State Government has trained 45 one-health officers on the implementation of the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS) to address zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

The five-day training, which was the first of its kind in Gombe State, brought together participants from across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to discuss pressing health issues and develop comprehensive strategies.

Speaking at the opening session, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya reiterated his government’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to curtailing healthcare challenges in the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, the governor acknowledged the magnitude of health challenges facing the country, including Gombe State.

“Bringing together stakeholders from interrelated sectors underscores the state government’s renewed commitment to collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to addressing public health issues,” he stated.

“A unified and interdisciplinary approach by all stakeholders in the health sector is crucial to addressing our current health challenges. By working together, we can develop sustainable solutions and create a safer and healthier environment conducive to human and animal survival”, he added.

The governor clarified that the state government has been actively promoting the ideals of the One Health initiative. The government prioritizes addressing animal diseases through annual vaccination campaigns against common diseases, aiming to prevent the spread of these diseases to humans and improve livestock productivity, food safety, and security.

He reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the One Health philosophy through the provision of all necessary facilities, training, and support to all stakeholders to effectively address health challenges.

In his welcome address, the National Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, represented by the Gombe L-PRES Project Coordinator, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, emphasized that promoting the One Health concept through the training demonstrates the project’s commitment to a holistic approach to animal, human, and environmental health.

Professor Abubakar stated, “The One Health concept acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders to address emerging health challenges and achieve the L-PRES project’s objectives of improving livestock productivity and supporting resilience.”

He expressed optimism that the training would facilitate fruitful discussions, knowledge sharing, and improved performance and service delivery in Gombe State and beyond.

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Usman, acknowledged the L-PRES Project’s contributions to revitalizing the livestock sector in the state.

He commended Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for the sustained annual vaccination campaigns against livestock diseases, which had significantly contributed to curtailing livestock diseases and improving human and animal health services in the state.

During his presentation, Professor Junaidu Kabir commended Gombe State Government and L-PRES for organizing the training, highlighting that the training session will enhancing Gombe State’s capacity for preventing and responding to health emergencies, particularly zoonotic diseases. He called for a sustained implementation of the initiative at all levels.

The training featured presentations from resource persons and provided opportunities for participants to engage in discussions and share experiences, fostering a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare delivery in Gombe State.