The Gombe State Government has commissioned a modern Obstetric Fistula Centre and a Paediatric Stabilisation Centre at the General Hospital, Deba, in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
Speaking on Saturday at the commissioning ceremony, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, said the facilities demonstrate the administration’s resolve to prioritise the health and well-being of the people.
He noted that since assuming office in 2019, the present administration has placed healthcare delivery service at the forefront of its development agenda through the establishment of 24-hour health clinics across the state’s 114 political wards, expansion of healthcare infrastructure and implementation of people-centred health programmes.
Jatau explained that the Obstetric Fistula Centre was constructed and equipped through the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), following an initiative by the Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
According to him, the centre will provide comprehensive, accessible and high-quality treatment for women living with obstetric fistula, helping to restore their dignity, confidence and social well-being.
He added that the Paediatric Stabilisation Centre will strengthen efforts to reduce child mortality by providing specialised care for malnourished children.
“This facility is aimed at restoring dignity, rebuilding lives and giving women suffering from fistula the opportunity to regain their confidence and rightful place in society,” he said.
He further called on healthcare workers, community leaders and residents to ensure proper ownership, maintenance and sustainability of the facilities and stressed the importance of prompt response to health challenges, professionalism and ethical conduct in service delivery, noting that healthcare requires timely action and collective responsibility.
He also urged citizens to embrace immunisation, vaccination and other preventive healthcare services, saying public understanding and acceptance of health interventions would encourage development partners to sustain their support for the state.
Jatau commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful execution of the project.
“We must work together to ensure these facilities continue to serve our citizens for years to come while strengthening healthcare delivery across Gombe State,” he said.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo said the commissioning of the centres underscored the unwavering support of the administration of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya to strengthening healthcare system and a significant milestone in the journey to achieving universal access to quality health care, especially for women, newborns and children, noting that fistulae and the pediatric centers represent hope, healing, dignity and renewed opportunities for the most vulnerable members of the society.
He said, “The obstetrics fistula center will provide comprehensive care for women suffering from obstetrics fistula , restoring not only their physical health, but also their confidence, social inclusion and economic productivity, Likewise, the pediatric stabilisation center will play a vital role in providing lifesaving treatment for critically malnourished children.”
The permanent secretary expressed appreciation to the UNFPA and the Taimaka project for their invaluable contributions to maternal and reproductive health and child survival, pledging the continued partnership towards mobilising resources, strengthening coordination and promoting evidenced based planning that improves the well being of the people.
He also called on stakeholders to ensure that they effectively manage and fully utilize the facilities for it to effectively deliver the intended benefit to the people.
Delivering a goodwill message, the permanent secretary ministry of health, Idris Buba, appreciated development partners for believing the commitment of Gombe state government on improving the welfare of the people and assured that the health ministry will continue to embrace partnership for the overall development of health in Gombe.
In a remark, the representive of the UNFPA, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Gombe State Government in the fight against obstetric fistula through strategic partnerships aimed at improving maternal healthcare and described the commissioning of the facility as a major milestone that offers renewed hope to women living with fistula
He said, “a lot of women are living with fistular in Nigeria, adding that in Gombe state, Yamaltu Deba local government area has the highest number of fistular cases which necessitated the establishment of the center ín Deba General Hospital,” adding that about one hundred and fifty one women have so far benefited from the intervention in the year 2025 jointly provided by the Gómbe state government and Nowajian government through the UNFPA.
He applauded Gombe State’s commitment and determination to rewriting the indices of fistular, and for ensuring an enabling environment for partners support to the enhancement of health sector.
Also, the co-founder of Taimaka, Dr Abubakar Umar said the inauguration of the pediatric stabilisation center in the hospital as another milestone in saving children’s lives.
He said that the facility has 203-bed facility, with plans for expansion to 250 beds, fully equipped with seven doctors, over 50 nurses and nursing assistants providing free treatment for every child in need, reiterating Taimaka’s commitment to working with the state government to ensure that no child dies from a treatable condition.
Similarly the Emir of Deba Ahmed Usman and the Chairman of Deba local government Area, Alhaji Yunusa Yakubu thanked the Gómbe state government, UNFPA and Taimaka for for the project expressing optimism that the centres will help in addressing fistula among women and malnutrition among children, calling on parent to desist from early marriage which is the major cause of fistular among women.
They promised to encourage their people on the need for proper maintenance of the facilities for the benefit of the communities.
The commissioning of the centres featured testimonies from survivors of fistula, and a symbolic presentation of fistula kits, commodities and drugs to the centers as well as packages to the survivors.