Nigeria (Gombe) – Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has presented the 2014 budget proposal of N107.4 billion to the State House of Assembly in Gombe.

The governor said his administration would continue to reposition the health sector through the provision of the needed infrastructure and services.

He said a total of N2.6 billion will be expended on quality healtcar5e delivery in 2014.

“This is in pursuance of our belief that a healthy population is the best asset that any nation can have, because of its direct link to socio-economic and technological development,” he said.

He listed ongoing projects to include the construction of a Women and Children Hospital at Gombe, and the renovation of the School of Health Technology at Kaltungo.

“Others are the construction of a new College of Nursing and Midwifery at Dukku and the expansion of the Snake Bite Hospital at Kaltungo,’’ Mr. Dankwambo said.

 “There is also the construction of a kidney dialysis centre at the Specialist Hospital in Gombe, and the supply of high density mattresses to some hospitals across the state,’’ the governor said.

Governor Dakwambo also said his administration has made huge contribution into the training of students studying health related courses.

 “So far a total of 355 students, studying Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Density Radiography and Physiotherapy Care are on the state government’s pay roll.

“Also, we are among the states which implemented 100 per cent the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the state.

“The state has also taken a bold step in establishing the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in order to attain the MDGs Goals 2 and 3 by 2015,’’ he said.

He then assured the people of the state that government would continue to provide the needed attention in the provision of accessible and affordable health care services in the state.