Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a landmark gathering aimed at building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system, Gombe State has hosted the Gombe Health Summit 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to evaluate accomplishments, address persistent challenges, and define the future of health delivery for its citizens.
The summit, themed “Transforming the Health System in Gombe State, Accomplishments, Challenges, and the Next Frontier,”underscores the state position as a leader in implementing bold health reforms amidst a national push to find sustainable solutions for primary healthcare delivery.
The event featured high level presentations from national and state leaders. The Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, set the national context, highlighting how the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is spearheading the revitalization of Primary Health Care PHC and fostering innovation across the health sector.
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya took to the stage to detail Gombe transformative journey. He outlined a series of strategic reforms that have already reshaped the state health landscape. Key among these is the introduction of a biometric verification system that has effectively curbed the issue of ghost workers, freeing up resources for tangible services. More significantly, in a move that drew applause from the health community, Governor Yahaya made a major announcement concerning the welfare of the state’s health workforce.
“To strengthen our commitment to the welfare of health workers, I am pleased to announce the immediate approval for the full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure CONMESS and Consolidated Health Salary Structure CONHESS, effective October 2025,” declared Governor Yahaya. This decision is expected to significantly boost morale, attract, and retain skilled medical professionals in the state.
On Thursday, first day of the summit culminated in a series of historic commissioning ceremonies led by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. In her remarks, she emphasized the critical importance of healthcare, stating, “Health is no longer a choice but a necessity.”She commended the Gombe State Government for its bold investments, citing its comprehensive approach to PHC revitalization, nutrition, and health worker welfare as a model worthy of emulation by other states in the federation.
The newly inaugurated projects, which symbolize Gombe tangible progress, including Federal Medical Centre FMC, Kumo, a major tertiary facility set to expand access to specialized care, a new School of Nursing and Midwifery, aimed at bolstering the pipeline of qualified healthcare professionals and A state of the art Children Hospital, dedicated to addressing the unique health needs of the state youngest population.
The Gombe Health Summit 2025 has not only served as a platform to celebrate these significant achievements but has also solidified a collective commitment from government, development partners, and health professionals to navigate the challenges, ensuring that quality healthcare becomes a guaranteed reality for every resident of Gombe State.
