World Bank tasks Gombe communities to utilise 169 upgraded health facilities

The World Bank has urged Gombe communities to ensure effective utilisation of the 169 revitalised health facilities to enhance access to quality healthcare services.

Dr Onoriode Ezire, Task Team Lead, World Bank IMPACT project, said this on Saturday during the inauguration of one of the revitalised facilities in Akko community, Akko Local Government Area of the state.

The World Bank, through its IMPACT project in collaboration with the Gombe state government has revitalised and upgraded 103 Primary Healthcare facilities and 66 clinics to “Level 2 Status.”

The project is designed to improve quality and utilisation of immunisation, maternal/child health services, and malaria control, to reduce under-five mortality rates in the state.

Ezire urged the benefiting communities, traditional leaders and stakeholders to ensure maximum use of the facilities towards improving health services at the grassroots.

He said the common dream that no woman would die while giving birth could be achieved with the new facilities provided, hence the need for women, men and other groups to access the facilities.

The World Bank official said effective utilisation of the facilities by members of the communities would guarantee that the investments and resources committed in the upgrade project didn’t go to waste.

“We are excited that these have been done but my comments will go to the communities for whom these facilities have been built.

“I can guarantee you that quite some monies have been spent to upgrade the facilities to its new level.

“These were done through collaboration effort of the World Bank and Gombe state government to ensure that you have access to quality healthcare.

“If these facilities are here and you are not accessing them, then it is a disservice to everybody. I challenge our women and men to take advantage of these facilities and access quality healthcare.

“What you need to access quality healthcare have been provided, so use this place,” he said.

Ezire lauded Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for the proactive and results-driven approach towards strengthening primary healthcare delivery via the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

He also hailed the governor’s exceptional leadership in securing the state’s inclusion in the multi-state intervention, in spite of Gombe not being originally listed among the participating states.

Yahaya reiterated commitment to the improvement of health and wellbeing of the people of the state.

Represented by his deputy, Manassah Jatau, the governor said that his administration’s commitment resulted in the consistent increase in funding for healthcare in the state’s budget from 3.5 per cent in 2019 to 15 per cent in 2025, in line with the Abuja Declaration.

“We have revitalised 103 Primary Health Centers and an additional 66 Health Clinics with the support of the World Bank through IMPACT project.

“These facilities are now equipped with solar power, water supply, basic equipment, and staff accommodation, ensuring that our citizens receive quality healthcare services.”

World Bank tasks Gombe communities to utilise 169 upgraded health facilities