Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Gombe State has entered into a strategic partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to enhance maternal and child health services in the state.
The collaboration was announced on Wednesday following a high-level meeting between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and a delegation from the two global organizations at the Government House in Gombe.
According to a statement by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the partnership aims to improve maternal and child health, reduce maternal mortality, enhance healthcare service delivery, and strengthen institutions to build human resources for health.
Governor Yahaya reiterated his administration’s commitment to working with international partners to transform the state’s healthcare system.
He emphasized that maternal and child health remains a top priority and expressed confidence that the partnership would accelerate progress in reducing preventable deaths and improving healthcare outcomes.
To ensure the effective implementation of the initiative, the governor directed Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau—who also serves as Chairman of the Task Force on Primary Health Care—along with Commissioner of Health Dr. Habu Dahiru and other relevant government agencies, to engage with the delegation and develop a sustainable intervention framework tailored to Gombe’s healthcare needs.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies team was led by Dr. Neena Prasad, Maternal and Reproductive Health Lead, and Samantha Lobis, Senior Advisor on Maternal Health.
Representing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation were Rodio Diallo, Deputy Director for Family Health; Silvia Von Lewis, Deputy Director for Maternal, Newborn, Child Nutrition and Health; and Jennifer A-Boateng, Senior Programme Officer for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Nutrition.
The partnership is expected to bring significant improvements in maternal and child healthcare in Gombe State through evidence-based interventions and strengthened healthcare infrastructure.
