The Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project convened a pivotal stakeholder engagement meeting at the Crispin Hotel to drive healthcare improvements in Plateau State. The event, aligned with Nigeria’s Improved Charter for Human Capital Development (MPA), brought together key government officials, healthcare agencies, and development partners to strategize on advancing the state’s healthcare system.
Representing the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing child mortality and maternal health challenges. Among the notable attendees were the Honourable Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Dewan Gabriel; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk; and the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Raymond Juryit.
During the engagement, the Plateau State Government announced the approval of funds to renovate primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 17 local government areas.
This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. Discussions also centered on reducing maternal and child mortality by improving antenatal care utilization and discouraging home births in favor of professional medical care.
IMPACT Project’s 2025 Strategic Goals
Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan, Program and Project Manager for IMPACT in Plateau State, outlined the project’s objectives for 2025. These include strengthening malaria control efforts, expanding immunization coverage, and promoting health education. He emphasized that free malaria testing and treatment for children under five are available at state healthcare facilities and called on stakeholders to raise awareness to optimize service utilization.
Zuhumnan expressed concern over low antenatal clinic attendance and the persistent prevalence of home births, which significantly contribute to maternal mortality. He underscored the need for robust community sensitization campaigns to promote health-seeking behaviors and professional care during pregnancy and childbirth, thereby reducing risks such as postpartum hemorrhage.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from stakeholders to improve healthcare services and reduce preventable deaths. By fostering collaboration, the IMPACT project and its partners aim to enhance healthcare delivery and overall quality of life for citizens of Plateau State, advancing the state closer to its 2025 healthcare objectives.
This stakeholder engagement reaffirmed the critical role of partnership and shared responsibility in transforming healthcare systems, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future for Plateau State.
