Rotary International in collaboration with the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Gombe State Government, have conducted joint community outreach programmes across five locations in the state.
The outreach covered London Mai Dorawa in Gombe LGA; Kalorgu community, Shamaki Ward and Ture Balam in Kaltungo LGA; as well as Liji Ward, Gindin Waziri, and Ngare community in Zambuk Ward of Yamaltu Deba LGA.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the state.
It is also one of several community engagement activities currently being implemented by Rotary across four states, Ekiti, FCT, Gombe and Nasarawa under the PoS project, Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria, led by Professor Emmanuel A. Lufadeju.
Community leaders expressed appreciation for the intervention. The District Head of London Mai Dorawa, Mallam Adamu Ishiyaku Garba, commended Rotary for bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents.
Similarly, the District Head of Liji community, Mallam Umar Abdullahi, conveyed gratitude for the free medical services provided.
A total of 48 skilled healthcare workers, 16 from each participating LGA, were engaged in delivering the services. These included:
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Community Health Officers (CHOs)
- Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs)
- Laboratory technicians
- Pharmacy technicians
- Medical records personnel
- Social mobilisation officers
Ward Development Committees, local government reproductive health coordinators, monitoring and evaluation officers, maternal and child health coordinators, and members of the Rotary Club of Kaltungo also supported the exercise.
During the outreach, more than 1,500 people across the five locations accessed healthcare services. Beneficiaries included children aged 5–15, women of childbearing age, and elderly men and women.
Residents of the benefiting communities expressed deep appreciation to Rotary International for its commitment to improving healthcare access.
The Rotary Representative in Gombe State, Mohammed Dantata Ndus, also commended the Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for prioritising healthcare delivery and supporting Rotary’s initiatives.
He further praised the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, for his dedication to advancing healthcare in the state and maintaining a collaborative relationship with Rotary.