By Ben Ngwakwe Gombe
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, has issued a stern call for immediate reforms in the state’s primary healthcare (PHC) sector following “red marks” in recent performance reviews.
Presiding over the 2026 first-quarter review meeting in his office, Dr. Jatau expressed deep dissatisfaction with the subpar grading of several healthcare activities in previous quarters.
As Chairman of the State Task Force on Health, he emphasized that periodic reviews are not just formalities but essential tools for sustaining life-saving service delivery.
Accountability at the Local Level
The Deputy Governor took particular aim at local government chairmen who were absent from the review.
He directed lagging local governments to liaise with high-performing counterparts to implement corrective actions immediately.
”The appearance of red gradings is a signal for urgent change,” Jatau stated, though he did commend the committee members present for their punctuality and commitment.
Focus on Tsangaya Schools
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the health of vulnerable populations.
Alhaji Siddi Buba, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, presented a sobering report on Almajiri (Tsangaya) schools, citing:
Inadequate sanitation and poor water supply.
Severe overcrowding and lack of essential drugs.
Security concerns within the learning centers.
In response, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, noted that while some gaps are being closed, a more sustainable framework involving private stakeholders is required.
International Support
Dr. Saleh Jalalludeen, the WHO North-East Zonal Coordinator, reaffirmed the organization’s support, highlighting three pillars for the coming quarter: maintaining campaign quality, closing immunity gaps in underserved areas, and strengthening routine immunization.
