Admin     Oct 4, 2022

His Excellency the Governor of Gombe State enrolls in the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Scheme (GoHealth)

......as he reiterates his commitment towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in the State

His Excellency the Governor of Gombe State Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has reiterated his commitment to ensuring Universal Health Coverage in the state. He made this known at the official flag-off ceremony of the State Contributory Healthcare Scheme tagged “GoHealth” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House.

He noted that this drive stems from a survey by the state needs assessment team that was set up by the government soon after assuming office two years ago. The team toured over 400 communities in the state and access to quality healthcare came top as the most pressing need of the people. The survey also revealed the extensive decay in our health system following years of neglect by previous administrations. The Governor explained that health institutions were dilapidated, essential drugs were lacking, equipments were obsolete and human resource needed for Healthcare was grossly inadequate and poorly motivated. “Our health indices were among the worst in the country”.

It was thus, necessary to not only revamp the health sector, but declared a state of emergency on health. This led to the revitalisation of at least one functional primary health care center in each of the 114 wards in the state that functions 24/7, while the secondary healthcare facilities were also upgraded to befitting status in order to meet the growing demand. Also Hospital Services Management Board was established and there is a plan to upgrade the school of nursing so as to build increase its training capacities.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya recounted that out-of-pocket expenditure for health often leads into poverty. That is why the government worked tirelessly with the State House of Assembly to enact the GoHealth Act, so as to ensure all residents of Gombe State enjoy qualitative healthcare without suffering financial hardship. The government also appointed capable hands to manage the program effectively. Notably, the Chairman, Governing Board, Dr. Muhammad Isa Umar is a well experienced and versatile personality with alot of pedigree in both public and private service.

The Governor also thanked the NLC for agreeing to the 3.5% deductions from their salary which is meant to be the premium for themselves and 5 additional family members. The commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru in his welcome address thanked the Governor for contributing 3.5% of the state government workers salary as employee contribution.

Coordinator of NHIS in Gombe State Com. Abdulhakeem Musa Aliyu also lauded the efforts of the Inuwa Yahaya administration for Gombe State on the world map as far as infrastructure and facilities are concerned. He also announced that as a result of the Governor's effort, all 114 primary healthcare facilities in the state have been accredited by NHIS for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). He noted that NHIS will be a key partner towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage by 2030. He assured the Governor that NHIS Gombe, will collaborate with GoHealth to make it realise it's vision of becoming the leading contributory healthcare Agency in Nigeria.

In his the goodwill address, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Com. Abdulmumuni Bappayo praised the efforts of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya in his efforts of implementing the new minimum wage at a time where other Governors are reverting back to the previous salary scale. He thanked the Governor for birthing the scheme and lauded especially the efforts of Dr. Abubakar Musa (the Team Lead of GoHealth) in the negotiations and publicity that ensured the scheme saw the light of day. He thanked the government for considering Labour not as a pressure group, but as development partners. He finally called on the public to key into the scheme.

Present at the event was the Deputy Governor Dr. Manasseh Jatau, the SSG, the State Chief Justice, Royal fathers and the creamè de la creamé of the state.