Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON took center stage as a special guest and panelist during the 2023 Universal Health Coverage Policy Dialogue in Abuja.
The event took place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where key stakeholders in the health sector, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, heads of various government agencies and development partners met to strategize and advocate for more commitment towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Themed ‘Health for All: Time for Action,’ the event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria UHC Forum as part of activities to commemorate the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.
Governor Inuwa used the opportunity to showcase Gombe’s remarkable strides in healthcare and the State’s resolute commitment towards ensuring the well-being of its citizenry and driving progress towards universal health coverage.
He also pointed out administration’s efforts towards restructuring the health sector, citing various initiatives introduced by his government.
Among others, Governor Inuwa mentioned the recruitment of qualified healthcare workers to bridge the human resource gap, establishment of essential agencies like the Hospital Management Board, Drug Management Agency, Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (Go-Health), and the Medical Consumables Management Agency.
The Governor highlighted the rejuvenation of the Primary Health Care Development Agency and the extensive revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 114 wards to ensure grassroots health coverage.
“The construction of new referral hospitals across the senatorial zones and the upgrade of Gombe Specialist Hospital were part of the state’s agenda to meet international healthcare standards”, the Governor said.
He also explained some of the pro-poor schemes initiated by his administration which included the utilization of 1% of consolidated revenue for the poorest and vulnerable to access healthcare services.
He shared the successful implementation of biometric attendance for healthcare personnel and other workers in Gombe State.
Governor Inuwa emphasized the necessity of stakeholder synergy and reiterated the adage ‘Health is Wealth,’ restating the imperative need for collective efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“We must have synergy of all stakeholders, we must look inwards to fill the gaps, and we must double our efforts to cover the lost grounds “, he said.
He promised to escalate some of the issues raised with at the event with his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum ( NGF).
During the session, Gombe State received commendations, especially for its innovative biometric personnel management system and pragmatic approach to addressing healthcare sector unemployment challenges.
