Gombe State partners with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Gates Foundation to improve maternal and child healthcare, reducing preventable deaths
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has initiated a crucial partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to strengthen maternal and child healthcare across the state.
The meeting, held with key representatives from both global organisations, marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to reduce maternal mortality, improve service delivery, and enhance healthcare institutions.
According to Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at Government House Gombe, the partnership aims to build a sustainable healthcare framework tailored to the state’s specific needs.
Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with international bodies to transform the state’s healthcare system.
He stressed that maternal and child health remains a top priority, expressing confidence that the partnership will accelerate progress in reducing preventable deaths and improving healthcare outcomes.
To ensure effective implementation, the governor assigned Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau—who also chairs the Task Force on Primary Health Care—alongside Health Commissioner Dr. Habu Dahiru and other relevant government agencies to collaborate with the visiting delegation and design a robust intervention plan.
Representing Bloomberg Philanthropies were Dr. Neena Prasad, Maternal and Reproductive Health Lead, and Samantha Lobis, Senior Advisor on Maternal Health.
The BMGF team included 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.
This intervention comes at a critical time, as maternal and child health indicators in the region show poor outcomes.
Organisations such as UNICEF and other global health partners have been actively working to address these challenges, and this new collaboration is expected to provide additional support and sustainable solutions for Gombe State.
