From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The World Bank, in partnership with the Gombe State Government, has commissioned 103 revitalised Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state to improve healthcare delivery, particularly for mothers and children.
The intervention, carried out under the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project (Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services), is designed to expand access to essential health services in vulnerable rural communities.
Task Team Lead of the project, Dr. Onoriode Ezire, and the Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, led officials from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme (GoHealth) in handing over the facilities to communities.
The 103 PHCs have been upgraded to Level 2 facilities, each fitted with labour rooms, staff quarters, immunisation units, antenatal care (ANC) services, pharmacies, drug supplies, solar-powered boreholes, 24-hour solar lighting, VIP toilets, and additional qualified manpower.
At handover ceremonies in centres including Barwa Winde PHC (Nafada), Jillahi PHC (Funakaye), Doho PHC (Kwami), Dangar PHC (Yamaltu-Deba) and Gidan Magani PHC (Gombe), community leaders welcomed the development, promising to protect the facilities.
Officials urged residents to take ownership of the centres and ensure their judicious use for the benefit of women and children.