From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, has applauded the Gombe State Government for its innovative reforms in the health sector, describing the state’s approach as inspiring and results-oriented.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the senior media aide to the state governor, Ismaila Uba Misilli. He explained that in a personal letter to the state government, through the executive secretary of the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth) and the chief executive of Human Capital Managers Nigeria Limited, Gates expressed admiration for the state’s visionary leadership and its commitment to improving health outcomes.
“I was impressed by Gombe’s problem-solving mindset and commitment to achieving results,” the global philanthropist wrote, following a recent high-level meeting in Abuja.
He highlighted the state’s strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and strategic governance as central to its success, noting that Gombe has demonstrated how thoughtful planning and technical execution can deliver measurable impact.
One of the innovations that particularly drew Gates’ attention is the Human Resource for Health (HRH) biometric attendance platform, a homegrown digital solution introduced to track staff attendance and improve resource allocation. He described it as a compelling example of how real-time data can be leveraged to strengthen accountability and decision-making in the health sector.
“The HRH biometric attendance platform is a compelling example of a state-led initiative to improve data availability for decision-making to optimise your resources,” the letter reads in part.
Gates also commended the Gombe delegation for its detailed demonstration during the Abuja meeting, stressing that the state’s leadership and innovation stand out as remarkable.
According to Misilli, Governor Yahaya had repeatedly reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to entrench transparency, efficiency, and equitable access to healthcare, with GoHealth and other relevant agencies leading the drive for inclusive health reforms in the state.