“If the results you’re getting aren’t what you desire, it’s time to change the actions you’ve been taking.” – Jim Rohn
This profound insight from Jim Rohn perfectly encapsulates the transformative journey underway in Gombe State’s healthcare sector, driven by the dynamic leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON.
Upon assuming office in 2019, Governor Inuwa Yahaya faced a healthcare system in crisis-chronically underfunded, overstretched, and lacking effective coordination. Facilities were dilapidated, staffing was insufficient, and quality healthcare remained a luxury for only a select few.
From day one, the Governor boldly declared a health sector emergency, not as mere rhetoric but as a decisive call to action grounded in data and strategic planning.
With the precision and care of a master craftsman, he set about overhauling the entire healthcare delivery framework. Now, six years later, Gombe has emerged as a beacon of health sector reform in Northern Nigeria, earning accolades from the Federal Government and international partners alike.
The inaugural Gombe State Health Summit recently marked a milestone in this ongoing transformation. Officially opened by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, the event convened policymakers, healthcare professionals, development agencies, and stakeholders nationwide.
Over four days, Gombe became a hub for healthcare innovation and dialogue, unveiling more than a dozen major projects designed to further enhance the system. This summit was not just a gathering but a testament to the power of vision translated into action.
In his keynote speech, Governor Inuwa Yahaya reflected on the dire statistics of 2019: a mere 3.5% of the state budget was allocated to health-far below the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration. Oversight was weak, outcomes were disappointing, and service coverage was minimal.
Today, the landscape has dramatically shifted. The 2023 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveals that immunization rates in Gombe have climbed from 18% in 2018 to 49%, DPT3 coverage has increased from 26% to 60%, and skilled birth attendance has risen from 21% to 38%. Additionally, the use of modern contraceptives has nearly doubled, signaling a responsive and effective healthcare system.
Central to this progress is a focused investment in primary healthcare. The administration has revitalized 228 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), ensuring that each political ward has at least two fully operational facilities equipped with solar power, boreholes, and staff accommodations to provide continuous care.
Meanwhile, general hospitals in Kumo, Bajoga, and Kaltungo have undergone extensive renovations, and the Gombe Specialist Hospital now offers accredited postgraduate training programs for medical residents and house officers.
A standout achievement is the 200-bed ultra-modern hospital in Kumo, initially constructed by the state and recently elevated to a Federal Medical Centre. This upgrade underscores the foresight and quality of healthcare infrastructure investments made under Governor Inuwa’s leadership.
Alongside physical improvements, institutional reforms have played a crucial role. The establishment of a Hospitals Management Board, the introduction of a biometric attendance system that uncovered 440 ghost workers-saving over N4.5 billion-and the launch of GoHealth, the state’s contributory health insurance scheme, have all enhanced transparency, efficiency, and access.
Currently, more than 380,000 residents, including 100,000 vulnerable individuals, benefit from health insurance coverage through GoHealth. Furthermore, the creation of GoPharma, a state-owned pharmaceutical enterprise, is improving the affordability and availability of essential medicines, moving Gombe closer to pharmaceutical self-reliance.
One of the landmark announcements at the Health Summit was Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s endorsement of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales for all health workers in Gombe, set to take effect in November 2025.
With an estimated monthly cost of N250 million (N3 billion annually), this initiative represents a strategic investment in the state’s healthcare workforce.
“This commitment,” the Governor emphasized, “is a call for all health professionals to respond with renewed dedication, increased productivity, and utmost professionalism.”
His statement highlights the critical role of a motivated and well-supported workforce in sustaining a thriving healthcare system.
Beyond the Federal Medical Centre in Kumo and the state-of-the-art School of Nursing Sciences with a 1,000-student capacity, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also inaugurated the 100-bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital bearing her name. This flagship facility aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance maternal and child health outcomes.
In the same week, the state launched the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (SEMSAS), providing residents with 48 hours of free emergency care, ensuring that financial constraints do not cost lives.
Applauding Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, hailed Gombe as “a national exemplar in health system strengthening.”
He noted that the state’s reforms align seamlessly with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to modernize healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
From upgrading the Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo into a regional hub for venom research and antivenom production, to the Ture Balam PHC’s transition to 24-hour service with increased maternal deliveries, the tangible benefits of Gombe’s health revolution are evident throughout the state.
In recognition of these achievements, the Federal Government recently supplied Gombe with new medical equipment, essential drugs, and commodities to bolster primary healthcare services further.
What was once a faltering system has been transformed into a model of innovation, efficiency, and compassionate care. True leadership is measured not by inherited circumstances but by the legacies built.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya took over a broken health sector and, within a few years, has crafted a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
The abundant harvest of health initiatives in Gombe is a testament to visionary leadership, meticulous planning, and unwavering commitment.
