Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s Transformation of Gombe State’s Healthcare Sector

Governor Inuwa Yahaya was sworn in as the fourth democratically elected governor of Gombe State, Nigeria.

On the same day, he declared a state of emergency in the state’s health sector and embarked on a mission to transform the ailing system into a model of excellence.

Governor Yahaya’s first step was to assess the decrepit and tawdry state of healthcare service delivery and facilities.

He then took the sector into the intensive care unit (ICU), so to speak, and patiently nursed it back to health.

To address the needs of the masses at the grassroots level, Governor Yahaya set up well-equipped, modern primary healthcare centers in all 114 wards of Gombe State.

This was a significant departure from the mediocre provision of healthcare facilities in the past.

The governor also focused on upgrading the state specialist hospital, including the installation of relevant equipment such as X-rays, ultrasound machines, ECG, Echo, Endoscopy, and a dialysis center. Additionally, one general hospital in each of the three senatorial zones is being upgraded to provide specialized services and reduce the burden on the state specialist hospital.

Governor Yahaya’s proactive stance on healthcare was put to the test in 2020 when the world was confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to his foresight, Gombe State was well-prepared to contain the contagion, earning the state praise and commendation from the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC).

In the post-COVID-19 years, Governor Yahaya continued his commitment to revamping the health sector, codifying provisions in a document called the Gombe State Development Plan (DEVAGOM).

The results of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s dedication to revitalizing Gombe State’s healthcare sector are clear: improved healthcare facilities, better access to healthcare for the masses, and a more robust response to public health emergencies.

These achievements have positioned Gombe State as a shining example of progress and innovation in healthcare delivery.