The Chairman of the Taraba State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Aminu Hassan Jauro, has emphasized the vital role of community engagement in improving access to healthcare services in rural communities across the state.
Dr. Jauro, who also serves as Chairman of Jalingo Local Government Council, made the call on Thursday through the council’s Director of Health, Shuabu Adamu, during a one-day onboarding and orientation workshop for members of the Traditional Leaders Council Committee on Health, representing all 168 political wards in Taraba State.
The event, organized by Chigari Foundation in collaboration with the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA), aims to strengthen community participation in primary healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
Dr. Jauro highlighted the importance of empowering traditional leaders and community-based health workers to address local health challenges promptly and effectively.
“We must work together to promote health services so that our community and children will remain healthy,” he said, while commending the Minister of Health for “bringing health services to the doorsteps of the people.”
He urged participants to intensify their efforts in supporting the health system at the grassroots, stressing that “sickness has no boundary.”
Speaking on the implementation strategy, the Program Officer of Chigari Foundation, Mallam Also Mohammed Saleh, explained that each ward will have Emirate Council Committee on Health (ECO) members who will work closely with ward focal persons.
Read also:
- Taraba agog as Sen. Manu Haruna hosts 21 senators at niece’s wedding
- Taraba’s Shocking ₦350 Billion Bond approval triggers political firestorm, debt fears
- Nigeria former ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago cries out Taraba debt profile
Their key responsibilities include coordinating with ward heads, collecting immunization data, addressing non-compliance, and submitting line lists of unresolved issues.
“These data will then be reconciled during daily evening review meetings, with support from data clerks to ensure accurate health reporting and follow-up,” Saleh said.
Officials say the initiative is expected to boost immunization coverage, strengthen disease surveillance, and improve overall community health outcomes in Jalingo LGA and other parts of the state.
Ward heads who spoke with our correspondent expressed optimism that involving traditional leaders at the grassroots will help bridge the gap between the formal health system and rural communities, ensuring that essential health services reach those who need them most.
