By Thomas Samuel
Taraba State is already looking ahead to 2027, as the Ministry of Health brings government agencies and development partners together to determine what should take priority in the state’s health sector next year.
A three-day workshop to review and finalise the state’s 2027 Annual Operational Plan is currently holding at Alheri Royal Hotel in Yola.
The exercise brings together officials of the Ministry of Health, heads of health agencies, local government health authorities, development partners and representatives of non-governmental organisations.
For the state, the planning process is not only about preparing another annual budget. It is also an opportunity to look at what has been achieved, identify gaps and decide where limited resources should be concentrated.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, said the workshop would help stakeholders review achievements and agree on practical priorities for the coming year.
He identified strengthening primary healthcare, improving maternal, newborn and child health, immunisation, nutrition, malaria control, disease surveillance and emergency response as some of the key areas requiring attention.
Health workforce development, availability of essential medicines, health infrastructure and digital health systems are also part of the priorities being considered for 2027.
Dr. Buma said the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas remained committed to strengthening the health system and ensuring that residents have access to quality, affordable and equitable healthcare services.
Moving from the grassroots
One of the major features of this year’s planning process is the adoption of a bottom-to-top approach.
The Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa, said the process would begin from health facilities and wards, move through the local governments and eventually reach the state level.
According to him, the approach is intended to ensure that the needs identified at the grassroots are reflected in the state’s health plans and budget.
Nyigwa said the workshop is also aimed at harmonising the budgets and activities of government agencies and development partners.
This, he explained, would help prevent duplication and ensure that scarce resources are directed towards areas with the greatest needs.
He said the 2027 planning exercise is different from previous ones because local government officials and development partners are participating more actively in the process.
The idea is simple: rather than having different organisations implement similar interventions in the same places, stakeholders can identify existing gaps and direct resources where they are most needed.
Focus on results
The workshop is also providing an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the World Bank-funded Human Capital Development Project, known as HOPE.
The Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Reuben Wunuji, said the initiative is designed to strengthen human capital through investments in health, education, skills acquisition and social protection.
Wunuji explained that HOPE has different operations, including HOPE-Gov, which provides the governance structure, and HOPE-PSC, which focuses on strengthening systems that contribute to human capital development.
He said the initiative is moving away from simply funding activities towards a system that rewards measurable results.
Development partners, including UNICEF and other non-governmental organisations, are also participating in the workshop.
They pledged continued support for efforts to improve healthcare delivery across Taraba State.
The outcome of the three-day exercise is expected to shape the state’s health priorities and resource allocation as Taraba prepares for the 2027 fiscal year.
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