The central tenet of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) is that everyone, everywhere should have access to the high-quality healthcare they require without facing financial hardship.
To that end, Gombe State Governor, Mr Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, recently dedicated the first primary healthcare (PHC) centre, Doma PHC, in Jekadafari ward, Gombe Local Government Area (LGA).
At the center’s dedication, the governor stated that the building of the PHC in the ward is consistent with national and World Health Organization (WHO) priorities to ensure everyone has access to health care, especially the poor, increasing overall national productivity.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO Country Representative, was present for the unveiling.
According to Mr. Yahaya, the presence of a functioning health facility in the ward will improve immunisation coverage, make it easier for vulnerable people to access healthcare, offer basic curative services, maternal and child health services, and preventive services.
“We are intentional about providing a PHC in each ward across the state and will continue to collaborate effectively with WHO to ensure everyone, everywhere have access to healthcare services closer to their doorsteps,” he said.
The governor praised WHO for being a trustworthy partner in providing health services to residents of the state.
The provision of a PHC facility in the ward, according to Dr. Mulombo, who praised the state government for its efforts, highlights WHO’s priorities on UHC because it ensures that everyone has access to fundamental medical services.
He declared that the WHO would keep helping the government provide the people, particularly the weaker members of society, with high-quality healthcare services.
By 2030, WHO estimates that scaling up PHC interventions in Nigeria could save millions of lives and extend the average lifespan by 3.7 years.
In Gombe state, WHO has helped 600 healthcare professionals build their skills in providing health services and responding to outbreaks, and has also given the state cholera treatment supplies.
813 169 children between the ages of 3 and 59 months received prophylactic medications from WHO during the height of the malaria seasons.
In the meantime, Dr. Mulombo paid Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha, the Emir of Biu, a courtesy call during a previous visit to Biu, a town and LGA situated in the southern region of Borno state.
Dr. Mulombo highlighted traditional leaders’ historic contributions to the fight against polio as well as current initiatives to boost immunisation rates in the area during the meeting.
Dr. Mulombo briefed the Emir on how the WHO helps the area access high-quality healthcare by enlarging the Biu General Hospital to provide services to the local population.
“When diseases spread, they spread in the communities and individuals in such communities need the right to quality health services. The expanded segment of the hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to cater to thousands of people living in the community,” he said.
Given their level of sway within the communities, traditional and political leaders have been strategically collaborating with WHO in order to meet the 2023 Triple Billion Targets, which call for 1 billion more people to have access to universal health coverage, 1 billion more people to be better protected from health emergencies, and 1 billion more people to enjoy better health and well-being.
The WHO’s collaboration with the government of Borno State to raise the standard of healthcare services available to members of his community was praised by the emir. According to him, “We will be more than happy to continue to strengthen our collaboration with WHO as the current partnership and ongoing project will not only improve the health of the people living in the locality but will also cater to individuals living in other neighbouring LGAs and states as well.”
The European Union, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the government of Canada, the United States Agency for International Development, the Nigerian Humanitarian Funds, Bill and Melinda Gates, the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, all provide financial support for WHO interventions in both states.
