The Gombe State Government has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Obstetric Fistula Centre and a Paediatric Stabilisation Centre at the General Hospital, Deba, in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services for women and children.
The facilities were officially commissioned by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Jatau said the projects underscore the administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and improving the well-being of residents across the state.
He noted that since taking office in 2019, the government has prioritised healthcare through the establishment of 24-hour clinics in all 114 political wards, expansion of health infrastructure and implementation of programmes aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
According to him, the Obstetric Fistula Centre was constructed and fully equipped with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) following an initiative of the Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
“This facility is designed to restore dignity, rebuild lives and give women affected by obstetric fistula the opportunity to regain their confidence and rightful place in society,” Dr. Jatau said.
He explained that the specialised centre would provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services for women living with obstetric fistula, while the Paediatric Stabilisation Centre would offer specialised care for severely malnourished children, helping to reduce child mortality across the state.
The Deputy Governor urged health workers, traditional leaders and residents to safeguard the facilities through proper maintenance and responsible use.
“Professionalism, ethical conduct and prompt response to health challenges are essential if these investments are to deliver lasting benefits,” he empathised.
Dr. Jatau also encouraged residents to embrace immunisation, vaccination and other preventive healthcare programmes, noting that strong community participation would encourage development partners to sustain their support for the state’s health sector.
He commended UNFPA, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other stakeholders whose collaboration made the projects possible.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ibrahim Ali Jalo, described the commissioning as another milestone in Gombe State’s pursuit of universal access to quality healthcare.
He said the Obstetric Fistula Centre would not only restore the health of affected women but also improve their confidence, social integration and economic productivity.
“The paediatric stabilisation centre will provide life-saving treatment for critically malnourished children and strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in the state,” Jalo stated.
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He appreciated UNFPA and the Taimaka Project for supporting maternal, reproductive and child health initiatives, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to evidence-based planning and improved healthcare delivery.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Idris Yambiyu Buba, praised development partners for complementing government efforts and assured that the ministry would continue to build strategic partnerships to improve health outcomes.
A representative of UNFPA reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Gombe State in tackling obstetric fistula through sustained collaboration and improved maternal healthcare services.
He noted that Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area records the highest number of obstetric fistula cases in the state, making the establishment of the specialised treatment centre particularly important.
The representative disclosed that 151 women benefited from fistula treatment interventions in 2025 through a partnership involving the Gombe State Government, the Norwegian Government and UNFPA.
“We remain committed to working with the state government to eliminate obstetric fistula and strengthen maternal healthcare through strategic partnerships,” the UNFPA representative said.
The Co-founder of Taimaka, Dr. Abubakar Umar, described the inauguration of the Paediatric Stabilisation Centre as a significant step towards reducing preventable child deaths.
He revealed that the facility currently accommodates 203 patients, with expansion plans to increase capacity to 250 beds.
According to him, the centre is staffed by seven doctors and more than 50 nurses and nursing assistants who provide free treatment to children requiring specialised care.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child dies from a treatable condition, and we will continue working closely with the Gombe State Government to achieve that objective,” Dr. Umar disclosed.
In separate remarks, the Emir of Deba, Ahmed Usman, and the Chairman of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Alhaji Yunusa Yakubu, commended the state government, UNFPA and Taimaka for the intervention.
They expressed optimism that the new facilities would significantly reduce cases of obstetric fistula and child malnutrition, while urging parents and community leaders to discourage early marriage, which they identified as a major factor contributing to obstetric fistula.
The event also featured testimonies from women who had successfully undergone fistula treatment, presentation of medical equipment, drugs and fistula care kits to the centres, as well as support packages for survivors.
