The Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project hosted a crucial stakeholders’ engagement at the Crispin Hotel, focusing on advancing Plateau State’s healthcare system. The event, aligned with the Nigeria Improved Charter for the Development of Human Capital (MPA), brought together key figures from government, healthcare agencies, and development partners.
Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, representing the Executive Governor, emphasized the state’s dedication to tackling child mortality and maternal health challenges. Distinguished attendees included Honourable Dewan Gabriel, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly; Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, Commissioner for Health; and Dr. Raymond Juryit, Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board.
The Plateau State Government announced the approval of funds to renovate primary healthcare facilities across 17 local government areas. This move aims to improve healthcare access and quality for citizens. Stakeholders also discussed reducing maternal and child mortality through better antenatal care and discouraging home births, emphasizing the importance of professional medical care.
IMPACT Project’s Focus for 2025
Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan, IMPACT’s Program and Project Manager in Plateau State, outlined the project’s 2025 objectives, including malaria control, boosting immunization coverage, and promoting health education. He highlighted the availability of free malaria testing and treatment for children under five in state healthcare facilities and urged stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure optimal utilization of these services.
Zuhumnan raised concerns about low antenatal clinic attendance and the prevalence of home births, which contribute to maternal mortality. He stressed the need for community sensitization on health-seeking behaviors and called for collective responsibility in promoting professional care during pregnancy and childbirth to prevent complications like postpartum hemorrhage.
The engagement ended with a call to action for all stakeholders to remain committed to improving healthcare services. By fostering collaboration, the IMPACT project and its partners aim to reduce preventable deaths and enhance the quality of life for Plateau’s citizens, marking a significant step toward achieving healthcare goals for 2025.
This event underscored the critical role of collective action in transforming healthcare delivery and ensuring a healthier future for Plateau State.
