Chima Azubuike
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, has expressed concern over poor performance indicators in the state’s primary healthcare system, describing the recurring red rating in previous quarterly assessments as unacceptable.
Speaking while presiding over the first-quarter Primary Health Care review meeting in his office on Thursday, Jatau said, “The appearance of red gradings in the performance of primary healthcare activities in previous quarters is unacceptable and demands immediate corrective measures.”
The regular review meetings he noted were essential to sustaining effective healthcare delivery, stressing that they help track progress, identify gaps, and ensure timely interventions.
Jatau, who also chairs the State Task Force on Health, commended members for their punctuality and commitment, saying their presence demonstrated dedication to improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
He also called for stronger collaboration with development partners, urging stakeholders to broaden support beyond immunisation programmes. “We must expand collaboration beyond immunisation to include personal hygiene and other essential social services,” he said.
The deputy governor further urged local government chairmen who were absent from the meeting and those performing below expectations to engage their counterparts and implement corrective measures.
In his remarks, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Saleh Jalalludeen, identified three priorities for improving healthcare delivery: sustaining high-quality campaign implementation, closing immunity gaps, and strengthening routine immunisation.
“Routine immunisation remains the foundation for disease prevention, and efforts must be intensified to reach underserved populations,” he said, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to supporting Gombe State in surveillance, capacity building, and health system strengthening.
The State Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, said the meeting reviewed key performance indicators covering routine immunisation, supplemental immunisation activities, disease surveillance, malaria control, and preparedness for upcoming campaigns.
According to him, “Preparations for the next round of immunisation exercises are already in top gear.”
Presenting findings from oversight visits to Almajiri (Tsangaya) schools, Chairman of the State House Committee on Health, Siddi Buba, highlighted several challenges affecting the learning environment and health of pupils.
“Our findings revealed inadequate sanitation facilities, poor water supply, limited access to essential drugs, overcrowding, and security concerns,” he said, recommending urgent rehabilitation of health infrastructure, improved water systems, and expansion of facilities.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, noted that some of the previously identified gaps had already been addressed through the provision of essential materials and improvements in school-based facilities.
She, however, stressed the need for sustainability, urging private stakeholders to play a more active role in the management of Tsangaya schools. “There is a need for sustainable frameworks, and private stakeholders must take greater responsibility in managing such institutions,” she said.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of religious organisations and local government authorities, commended the state government’s efforts and called for improved sanitary and hygienic conditions at Tsangaya sites while pledging continued support toward strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Mustapha Abdullahi, presented updates on action points from previous meetings, including progress made during the November 2025 and March 2026 National Immunisation Plus Days.
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