Rotary International in collaboration with the Gombe State Government and the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, GSPHCDA, has provided free healthcare services to over 1,275 people across communities in Gombe State.
The five-day joint community outreach was conducted across five locations including London Manawashi community in Gombe LGA, Kachallari and Peshonge communities in Yamaltu/Deba LGA, as well as Fada and Gujuba communities in Kaltungo LGA.
The intervention is part of the “Together for Healthy Families” Program of Scale, PoS, currently being implemented in four states of Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, and Nasarawa State under the leadership of the Country Director and National Coordinator, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju.
Speaking during the outreach in Gujuba community, the community head and Chairman of the Ward Development Committee, WDC, Mallam Saidu Garba, expressed appreciation to Rotary RMCH for bringing free and accessible healthcare services to mothers, children, and the elderly in the area.
He described the intervention as impactful in addressing long-standing health challenges within the community and welcomed Rotary’s continued support and presence.
A representative of the Rotary Club of Kaltungo, who also attended the exercise, described the outreach as a reflection of Rotary’s values of compassion, commitment, and collaboration in serving vulnerable communities.
The outreach engaged 45 skilled healthcare workers alongside six Local Government officials including Social Mobilisation Officers, Deputy Social Mobilisation Officers, DSMO and Maternal and Child Health coordinators, bringing the total number of personnel involved to 51.
The healthcare team comprised nurses, midwives, Community Health Officers (CHOs), Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, medical records technicians, and social mobilisation officers. Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Kaltungo also participated in the activities.
Supporting partners including GSPHCDA, Jhpiego, World Health Organization, Boys Brigade, and the Guidance and Counselling Development Association (GCDA) provided support services ranging from healthcare delivery and medical supplies to emergency prevention services.
According to records from the outreach, 268 beneficiaries were attended to in Gombe LGA, 531 in Yamaltu/Deba LGA, and 476 in Kaltungo LGA. In addition, 65 birthing kits were distributed to expectant mothers across the five communities.
The outreach provided services for all categories of beneficiaries including children aged 0–15 months for immunisation, children under 5–15 years, pregnant women, women of child-bearing age, and elderly men and women.
Beneficiaries received free health education, consultation, testing, medication, family planning services, and referrals where necessary.
Residents of the benefiting communities expressed gratitude to Rotary International and its partners for their continued commitment to improving access to healthcare services and supporting the wellbeing of vulnerable populations across rural communities in Gombe State.
