The Head of Programmes, Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Chika Nwankwo, has commended Gombe State for its outstanding performance in the Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH) project, describing the state as a model for others to emulate.
Nwankwo made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday during a two-day Gombe Family Meeting with the theme, “Learning from Gombe State Success Story.” The event had participants from Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.
According to her, Gombe’s success in implementing innovative health strategies prompted the network to bring other participating states to learn from the state’s experience.
“Gombe is one of the states we are working in under the PREACH project, and we have recorded remarkable successes here. The state has pushed us with her innovative strategies, which is why we brought other states to see what stands Gombe out and what they can learn,” Nwankwo said.
She noted that Gombe’s unique approach to incentivising healthcare workers has contributed to its progress.
“The state currently pays MoU health workers ₦50,000, whereas others are paying ₦5,000 or ₦20,000. They even topped what was previously ₦4,000. That level of commitment makes a difference,” she explained.
Nwankwo added that the Vaccine Network operates in Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, and Adamawa states, where it is driving progress through strong advocacy and political will.
“At the beginning, these states had zero-dose children in one way or another. Thankfully, with advocacy and political will, we are moving the needle forward,” she said.
Speaking on the organisation’s broader objectives, Nwankwo said the Vaccine Network places special focus on women, children, and adolescents.
“Because we are a women-owned organisation, we focus on women’s issues—maternal health, safe delivery, and child survival. No woman wants to lose her child, so we focus on what helps the child live. We also engage men through advocacy since they are key decision-makers, ensuring the family and community prioritise health,” she added.
Chairman of Gombe Local Government and State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Barrister Sani Haruna, lauded the network’s contribution to improving healthcare delivery across the PREACH states.
“I think they are doing well. For us in Gombe, we have already created a model for other states to emulate. His Excellency, the Governor, in his 10-year development plan, has a clear vision for the healthcare sector,” Haruna said.
He added that the progress made so far reflects Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s commitment to the health sector.
“It’s laudable to have such conversations. We learn through these processes, and where we are doing well, other states can emulate us. The priority given to health by Governor Inuwa Yahaya is commendable. He directed that all MoU health workers be paid even after the project ended in November 2024, and we have continued to pay them, receiving positive feedback from rural communities,” he noted.
Haruna emphasised the strong collaboration between local governments and health agencies in Gombe.
“Primary healthcare is under the purview of local governments by the Nigerian Constitution. We have a good partnership with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ministry of Health. We ensure synergy with stakeholders, donor partners, and the organised private sector to avoid duplication of functions while improving service delivery, especially in rural communities,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Coordinator of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Ibrahim Yusuf, described the family meeting as an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen collaboration among participating states.
“It’s good to have people around to share success stories and challenges so we can harmonise and improve where necessary. Having listened to others, we’ve picked their challenges and achievements. The common language we are all speaking is service delivery in health,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf who doubles as Team Lead, Advocacy Centre for Development expressed optimism that the engagement would enhance health outcomes across participating states.
“The network brings people together, and this will improve service delivery. Our various communities will surely reap the benefits,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ali Jalo, who was represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ruth Baka, noted that the ministry’s role is to coordinate implementing partners working in Gombe State.
He said, “We also harness funding for Ministries, Departments and Agencies carrying out various activities. We ensure that the health sector receives the highest allocation, especially in the 2025 budget.
“We also support the Ministry of Health through strategic planning to ensure that areas of interest capable of driving progress in the state are embedded in all state plans. In Gombe State, we have a working governor who cares about the welfare of the people, and our role is to help realise the 10-year development plan, with health as a key priority,” Jalo added.
