In a significant push to enhance healthcare accessibility in rural communities, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged traditional rulers in Taraba State to champion the cause of promoting free healthcare services available to their people. This call to action was made during her recent visit to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, where she emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement in addressing health challenges, particularly among women and children.
Mrs. Tinubu, who is also the founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), highlighted the critical role traditional institutions play in mobilizing communities and raising awareness about vital health programs. She stressed that by supporting frontline health workers and ensuring they are well-equipped, maternal and infant mortality rates can be significantly reduced. Additionally, she underscored the need to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS, especially mother-to-child transmission, which remains a pressing concern in Nigeria. The First Lady also distributed 10,000 professional kits to midwives across the North-East region, a gesture aimed at bolstering healthcare delivery in these areas.
As part of her visit, Mrs. Tinubu handed over a N50 million cheque to support the empowerment of 1,000 women petty traders in Taraba State. This initiative is part of broader efforts by her NGO to empower women economically and improve their access to healthcare services. The Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, noted that over 8,500 frontline health workers have been trained in the North-East, with 1,300 from Taraba alone. Furthermore, more than 1,000 health facilities in the region receive quarterly funding from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure.
The First Lady’s appeal to traditional rulers reflects a broader strategy to leverage community influence in promoting health awareness and access to free services. By engaging traditional institutions, the government aims to ensure that health interventions reach the most vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas where these leaders hold significant sway. This collaborative approach is seen as crucial in addressing health disparities and improving overall well-being across Nigeria.
In response to Mrs. Tinubu’s visit, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and his wife, Agyin Kefas, expressed gratitude for the support extended to the state under the Renewed Hope Initiative. The visit and subsequent initiatives are expected to bolster healthcare delivery and economic empowerment in Taraba, aligning with the state’s development priorities
