By Dairus Samson
As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery and fulfil Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare across Gombe State, 191 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are currently undergoing remodelling and revitalisation.
The project aligns with the administration’s vision to establish two fully functional PHCs per ward, bringing primary healthcare services closer to communities in need.
Leading an inspection tour across several of the ongoing sites in Gombe, Kwami, and Dukku Local Government Areas, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and applauded the contractors for maintaining quality standards.
He noted that the 191 PHCs earmarked for the intervention are being upgraded to meet modern standards that will enhance both service delivery and patient comfort.
“We are here to see on the spot what is going on. You will recall that as part of the Governor’s vision to improve primary health services, 191 healthcare facilities were pencilled for remodelling and revitalisation, all in a bid to achieve two PHCs per ward,” Dr. Dahiru said while speaking to newsmen during the visit.
According to him, the scope of the revitalisation includes expanding labour rooms and wards, constructing standard laboratories, providing uninterrupted water supply systems, installing solar panels and battery inverters to guarantee 24-hour electricity, building staff quarters to encourage health worker retention in rural areas, and constructing standard medical stores to support effective drug supply chain management.
Dr Dahiru noted that while the pace of work varies across different sites, he was largely impressed with the level of execution so far.
He urged the contractors not to relent, encouraging them to step up efforts to meet project timelines without compromising quality.
“We are satisfied with the quality of work in most locations. However, I’m encouraging contractors to improve their speed so that we can complete these projects in good time and put them to use,” he said.
The Commissioner also used the opportunity to reveal that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has given approval for massive recruitment into the health sector to ensure that the revitalised facilities are adequately staffed and maintained. He stressed that no matter how good the buildings are, they cannot serve their purpose without the right personnel.
“The key thing after getting a wonderful structure is manpower for health, and His Excellency has graciously agreed to allow us recruit more hands to meet the growing demand for healthcare services in these areas,” he stated.
He emphasised that the revitalisation project, when completed, is expected to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality in the state by encouraging increased health-seeking behaviour, especially among pregnant women.
He appealed to community members to sensitise women on the importance of antenatal care and delivering at the health centres.
“Let us encourage our women to utilise these centres. A major challenge to reducing maternal mortality is the reluctance to attend antenatal clinics or deliver at health facilities. With these improved centres, we now have no excuse,” Dr. Dahiru added.
In Kwami LGA, the PHC Coordinator, Umar Musa Diri, praised the state government for embarking on such a far-reaching project that directly impacts the lives of ordinary citizens.
He revealed that similar renovations are ongoing across all ten wards in the LGA, and the improvements so far have brought hope to the residents.
“We are grateful to Governor Inuwa Yahaya. What is happening in our PHCs is unprecedented. These structures and facilities will go a long way in boosting the morale of health workers and increasing public confidence in our health system,” he said.
The inspection team visited PHCC Dukku, Wuro Tale, Jamari, Garin Bulama, and Gadam, where they interacted with contractors and community members to assess progress and challenges.
Dahiru was accompanied on the tour by key officials, including Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (GSPHCDA) represented by Dr Maryam Abubakar, the Executive Secretary and Team Lead, Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth), Dr Abubakar Musa, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Drug and Medical Consumables Management Agency (GODMA), Pharm Abubakar Muhammad and other top government functionaries and technical officers.
The revitalisation of the 191 PHCs is a critical step in Gombe State’s broader health reform agenda, which also includes the rollout of contributory health insurance through GoHealth, robust drug supply chain management by GODMA, and enhanced oversight by GSPHCDA. These collaborative efforts are aimed at building a resilient primary healthcare system capable of responding to the health needs of every citizen.
As the project continues to gain momentum, stakeholders have described it as one of the most ambitious and impactful health initiatives in recent times, capable of transforming healthcare delivery at the grassroots and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage in Gombe State.
Dairus Samson
PRO
GoHealth
