By Our Correspondent

The Chief Executive Officer of Rural Health Mission Nigeria, Mohammed Sadiq, has outlined the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support flood-affected communities in Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe States through its Community Recovery and Resilience Project.

Speaking at a press conference, Sadiq explained that the initiative, funded by the US-based Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, is aimed at strengthening healthcare systems in rural areas prone to natural disasters—particularly floods which often damage health infrastructure, limit access to care, and trigger outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

According to Sadiq, last year’s floods severely impacted several communities, including Mai Kaho in Gombe, Gamawa in Bauchi, and Nangere in Yobe. In Gamawa alone, six health facilities were completely destroyed, while seven were inundated in Nangere. In Mai Kaho, just one health facility remained functional.

In response, Rural Health Mission Nigeria has taken concrete steps to rehabilitate these facilities. One health centre has already been renovated in Gamawa, while another is currently under renovation in Nangere. The organisation has also provided a reliable water supply to the primary health care centre in Mai Kaho to ensure better hygiene and service delivery.

Beyond infrastructure, the organisation is also addressing maternal health needs. Sadiq disclosed that the Mission distributed life-saving birth kits to 50 pregnant women in each of the affected communities. The women also received financial support to help ensure safe deliveries and reduce maternal mortality rates.

“The Community Recovery and Resilience Project highlights our commitment to improving access to quality healthcare and building resilience in vulnerable rural communities,” Sadiq said.

Rural Health Mission Nigeria continues to play a pivotal role in bridging healthcare gaps in hard-to-reach and disaster-affected areas of northern Nigeria.

By Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe

Ambassador Fatima Muhammad Paga, the United Nations Focal Person to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, has highlighted the indispensable role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in improving maternal healthcare and reducing maternal mortality rates in Nigeria.

In an interview with our reporter in Gombe, Ambassador Paga emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the deployment of traditional birth attendants, particularly in underserved rural communities where healthcare infrastructure and personnel remain critically inadequate.

“Many rural areas face significant gaps in access to healthcare services, particularly for pregnant women. Reviving and empowering the system of traditional birth attendants is a practical step to bridge this gap and ensure safer childbirth experiences,” she said.

Ambassador Paga explained that traditional birth attendants are not only critical in facilitating safe deliveries but also in providing vital pre- and postnatal care to mothers and newborns in areas where hospitals and skilled healthcare professionals are scarce.

“Their contribution is not limited to rural areas alone. Even in urban settings, where healthcare systems can be overwhelmed, traditional birth attendants play a crucial role in alleviating pressure on hospitals and reducing maternal mortality rates,” she added.

She further noted that this grassroots healthcare approach complements government efforts to improve health outcomes, particularly in Nigeria’s rural regions, where many women face life-threatening complications due to inadequate access to professional care.

To enhance the impact of TBAs, Ambassador Paga called on the government and stakeholders to invest in their training and provide them with essential tools and resources.

“Equipping traditional birth attendants with modern skills and basic healthcare supplies will significantly boost their effectiveness and ensure better health outcomes for mothers and their babies,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to sensitize communities about the benefits of utilizing traditional birth attendants, particularly in areas where cultural beliefs might discourage hospital visits.

“The collective effort of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders can transform maternal healthcare across Nigeria.

By supporting and modernizing the role of traditional birth attendants, we can save countless lives,” she concluded.

By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar

The 11 Local Government Councils in Gombe State have once again pledged their unwavering commitment to improving nutrition and addressing the growing concern of malnutrition among women and children across the state.

This renewed commitment was made during a two-day capacity-building and advocacy workshop organized by UNICEF and Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning held in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Gombe State, Hajiya Fatima Binta Bello, emphasized the collective resolve of the councils to prioritize nutrition financing as a key component of their development agenda.

Hajiya Bello, who also serves as the Chairperson of Shongom Local Government Area, stressed that the councils are not only aware of the alarming rates of malnutrition in the state but are also determined to take strategic actions to tackle its root causes.

“We have identified poverty as one of the major drivers of malnutrition in our communities. It deprives families, especially at the grassroots, of the resources needed to provide adequate nutrition for their children,” Hajiya Bello stated.

She highlighted the readiness of the local governments to work collaboratively with the state government, development partners, and civil society organizations to roll out sustainable nutrition programs that target the most vulnerable segments of the population, particularly mothers and young children.

According to her, the councils are committed to implementing nutrition-sensitive policies in line with state and national health frameworks. These include increasing budgetary allocations to nutrition, supporting community-based interventions, and strengthening local health systems to ensure that nutrition services are accessible and effective.

“One of our core priorities is to sensitize and educate communities about the dangers of malnutrition and the importance of proper nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. We believe that empowering people with the right knowledge will lead to better health outcomes,” she added.

The workshop, which brought together local government leaders, nutrition experts, and stakeholders from across the region, aimed to build the capacity of council officials to advocate for and implement impactful nutrition policies.

Participants at the workshop applauded the commitment of the Gombe State LGAs and called for consistent follow-through to ensure that the pledges are translated into concrete action on the ground.

As Gombe State continues to make strides in improving public health, the reaffirmation of commitment by the 11 local councils marks a significant step toward building a healthier, more resilient future for its people particularly the next generation.