Still On Inuwa Yahaya’s Excellence Award In Governance And Healthcare

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has been lauded for his exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare, culminating in the recent award of excellence in governance and health sector strides presented to him by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2024 Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service.

Under his leadership, Gombe State has witnessed significant reforms, including the establishment of vital healthcare management agencies, the formulation and execution of progressive policies, and substantial investments in health infrastructure and human resources.

These efforts have not only improved healthcare delivery but also played a critical role in the successful management of disease surveillance, including the reduction of HIV prevalence among others.

Below are a few of the health sector strides recorded under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Governance

• Establishment of Hospital Management Board,
• Establishment of Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (Go-Health), Establishment of Drug Management and Medical Consumables Management Agency (GODMA)

Policy

• The draft Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA) Law amended has been developed providing adequate backing for the optimal adoption of the IPCHS strategy and improved funding of PHC System.
• State-wide coordination structure for health service integration, namely the Health Service Integration Technical Working Group (HSI-TWG), was activated and operationalized.
• Community System Strengthening Framework document has been developed and being implemented.

Disease surveillance

• Establishment of Emergency operational center
• Establishment pandemic preparedness team and active surveillance of epidemic diseases
• Decreased HIV prevalence from 6.8% in 2014 to 1% in 2023
• Successful surveillance and control of covid 19 pandemic

Health Infrastructure

Construction, upgrading  and Renovation of health facilities

• The extensive revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 114 wards to ensure grassroots health coverage.
• Construction of A&E Complex, Maternity, and Molecular Lab at Specialist Hospital Gombe
• Construction of a state-of-the-art Accident & Emergency (A&E) complex, a modern maternity ward which was aimed to enhance emergency response capabilities, provide comprehensive maternal care, and strengthen the capacity for Covid-19 testing and research
• Construction of A&E Complex at General Hospitals Bajoga and Kaltungo:
• Re-Construction of General Hospital Kumo
• Establishment of Isolation and Treatment Centre at Kwadon
• Construction/Renovation of Cottage Hospital Kuri
• Construction of Hostel at the School of Nursing Gombe
• Renovation of Warehouse at State Medical Stores Gombe
• Re-construction of Perimeter Wall at State Medical Stores:

Healthcare Equipment Enhancement

• Supply of Equipment at Specialist Hospital Gombe:
• Supply of Equipment at General Hospitals Bajoga and Kaltungo

Medicines, Vaccines and Other Commodities and Supplies

• Establishment of state Logistic Management Coordinating Unit [LMCU]
• Logistic TWG

Human resources for Health (HRH

• Implementation of biometric attendance for healthcare personnel and other workers in Gombe State which aimed to checkmate absenteeism from work
• The State Government has recruited 440 healthcare workers to reposition the health sector for improved performance. The cadre recruited were 106 Midwives, 213 Community Health Extension Workers, CHEW and 132 Junior Community Health Extension Workers, JCHEW, and were deployed to various Primary Health Care facilities across the state.

• The ministry has commenced housemanship programme at the specialist hospital through engagement of specialist consultants. The commencement of residency training and the ongoing construction of a brand new College of Nursing and Midwifery in Gombe were all geared towards improving the human resource for health capacity in the state.

Health financing

Budget Allocation/Performance

• Increased budgetary allocation from 8% to 12% (close to 15% Abuja declaration)
• Digital Registry for poor and vulnerable persons have been developed and operationalised
• The utilisation of 1% of consolidated revenue for the poorest and vulnerable to access healthcare services.