The Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) on Monday formally inaugurated the State and Local Government Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization/Technical Working Group. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen health communication systems and improve community participation in primary healthcare delivery across the state.
Inauguration Ceremony
The ceremony, held in Jalingo, brought together senior government officials, health professionals, development partners, traditional leaders, and representatives of civil society organizations working within the health sector. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, represented by the Director of Planning and Statistics, Dr. Ubanu Ezekiel, described the establishment of the Technical Working Group as a critical step toward improving coordination of advocacy, communication strategies, and social mobilization activities across all levels of primary healthcare delivery.
Role of the Technical Working Group
Dr. Ezekiel explained that the group will serve as a central platform for planning, implementing, and monitoring communication interventions aimed at increasing awareness and uptake of essential health services. These include routine immunization, maternal and child health programmes, nutrition initiatives, and disease prevention campaigns. The agency noted that the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group will operate at both state and local government levels to ensure a harmonized approach to health messaging, reduce duplication of efforts, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders involved in public health advocacy.
Importance of Effective Communication
Health authorities at the ceremony emphasized the importance of effective communication in addressing misinformation, cultural misconceptions, and hesitancy surrounding certain health interventions, particularly immunization and reproductive health services. They further noted that community engagement remains a cornerstone of primary healthcare delivery, stressing that the success of ongoing health reforms in Taraba State depends heavily on the ability of stakeholders to mobilize grassroots support and build trust between health institutions and the public.
Charge to Members
The agency charged members of the Technical Working Group to demonstrate professionalism, commitment, and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities. It added that their work would directly contribute to improving health outcomes across communities in the state. Stakeholders at the event welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary in strengthening health system coordination, especially at a period when increased attention is being placed on improving service delivery and achieving universal health coverage.
Broader Efforts
They expressed confidence that the Technical Working Group would enhance synergy among government agencies, development partners, and community structures, thereby improving the effectiveness of health communication strategies across urban and rural areas. The inauguration, as gathered by The Guardian, is part of broader efforts by the Taraba state government to revitalize the primary healthcare system, enhance demand generation for health services, and ensure that accurate and timely health information reaches all segments of the population.
Expected Impact
Observers note that if effectively implemented, the initiative could significantly improve health-seeking behaviour, increase immunization coverage, and reduce preventable diseases in the state. The Technical Working Group is expected to play a pivotal role in coordinating health communication efforts, ensuring that communities are well-informed and engaged in primary healthcare activities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the group aims to create a unified approach to health messaging that addresses local challenges and promotes better health outcomes for all residents of Taraba State.
