Gombe, Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation Partners To Boost Health, Agriculture

The Gombe State Government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger partnership and developing realistic strategies to enhance efficiency in the health and agriculture sectors.

 

The resolution was reached during a high-level meeting between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and a delegation from the BMGF, led by the Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Uche Amaonwu in Abuja.

 

During the meeting, Mr. Amaonwu stressed that Gombe State was selected in BMGF’s renewed partnership drive due to its progressive approach to healthcare planning and management.

 

“We understand that your approach to governance has always prioritized strategic planning and results-driven implementation, which has positioned Gombe as a model for other states in Nigeria,” said Mr. Amaonwu.

He expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration would further accelerate progress in healthcare delivery and agricultural development to ensure a better quality of life for the people of Gombe State.

 

Governor Yahaya said some of his administration’s achievements since assuming office, had revealed the progress made by Gombe State from the lower rungs of development indices to the top tiers in the socio-economic development index.

 

He noted that the progress made was driven by the meticulous implementation of his administration’s five-pillar development agenda, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

The Governor reiterated the priority his government places on health, education, agriculture, and human capital development, all of which are integral to sustainable growth.

In the health sector, Governor Yahaya detailed some of his groundbreaking successes, including ensuring that all 114 wards in the state have at least one functional Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) and establishing the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth), which has enrolled over 340,000 beneficiaries, including vulnerable individuals.

 

Other strides, according to him, include the setting up of the Hospital Management Board to improve healthcare administration, constructing new general and cottage hospitals across the state and recruiting healthcare personnel to address manpower gaps in the sector among others.

 

The Governor further announced plans to organize a state health summit aimed at showcasing the state’s achievements, identifying new opportunities for collaboration, and attracting more development partners to the health sector.

 

While welcoming the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s interest in supporting agriculture, Governor Yahaya shared that Michigan State University had committed to collaborating with his administration to establish a Faculty of Mechanized Agriculture at Gombe State University.

 

He said the university would also work with the state to position Gombe State as an agricultural innovation hub, which he believed would significantly enhance food production and drive socio-economic growth for the people of the State.

 

Governor Yahaya also expressed gratitude to the BMGF for its continued partnership and support, describing the collaboration as mutually beneficial.

 

He gave the assurances that every resource invested in Gombe would be judiciously utilized for impactful development.

 

“You have found a reliable partner in Gombe State, and we will ensure that every dime you spend here translates into tangible benefits for our

people,” the Governor stated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyenike Oyeniyi