Taraba Govt unveils 2025 health plan
The Taraba State Government, under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas, has officially launched its 2025 Annual Operational Plan, AOP, for the health sector.
The plan, aimed at improving healthcare delivery and aligning with national health reforms, is anchored on a Sector-Wide Approach, SWAp, that reflects the priorities of health professionals in the state and aligns with Nigeria’s National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.
Speaking at a three-day capacity-building workshop for health managers, which commenced yesterday in Jalingo, the state capital, Dr Reuben Nwunuji, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency and SWAp Desk Officer, described the AOP as both inclusive and the result of broad consultations and shared commitment.
“The 2025 AOP is the outcome of extensive consultations and shared commitment,” Dr Nwunuji said, stressing that the plan includes measurable targets, cost interventions, and practical implementation strategies across all levels of the healthcare system.
He urged that the document must not become “a policy tucked away on shelves” but rather be actively implemented in primary health centres, local government health teams, secondary health facilities, and communities.
According to him, the blueprint places emphasis on expanded health insurance coverage, digital health innovations, and preparedness for public health emergencies.
Reaffirming Governor Kefas’s commitment to health sector reform, Dr Nwunuji noted that since assuming office, the governor has prioritised the revitalisation of healthcare delivery across Taraba.
In his presentation, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the State Ministry of Health, Garkumyebiyi Richard, introduced participants to the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity, HOPE, Primary Health Care Provision Strengthening Programme. He explained that the HOPE initiative, backed by $1.57 billion in concessional financing from the World Bank, is designed to support both the Federal Ministry of Health and state governments in implementing the National Health Sector Reform Investment Initiative, NHSRII, and the SWAp reforms.
“The HOPE Programme is a tripartite operation targeting governance, education, and health pillars of human capital development,” Richard said.
He added that the initiative aims to unify healthcare workers around common goals while fostering collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, as well as donor organisations.
Declaring the event open on behalf of the Health Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Harmony Chufor, assured stakeholders of the ministry’s determination to translate the AOP into concrete action.
He highlighted the robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms embedded in the plan to ensure accountability and continuous learning, stating that “all hands must be on deck to make this plan a reality.”
Taraba Govt unveils 2025 health plan
