By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has called on residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and prioritise disease prevention as part of efforts to improve public health and strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) services across the state.
The call was made during the commemoration of the 2026 National Health Promotion Day, organised by the Gombe State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency through an awareness roadshow aimed at promoting healthy living and preventing diseases.
Held under the theme, “Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Wellbeing of Nigerians,” with the slogan, “Promoting Healthy Choices for a Healthy Lifestyle,” the event highlighted the importance of making informed health decisions at individual, family and community levels.
The exercise, which was conducted in line with the 64th National Council on Health Resolution, commenced at the headquarters of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and ended at Primary Health Care Centre, Gidan Magani.
Representatives of the Commissioner for Health and the Executive Secretary of the agency participated in the exercise alongside representatives of UNICEF and other supporting partners.
Speaking on the topic, “Practising Healthy Behaviour for the General Prevention and Control of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases,” the State Health Educator, Sallau Mohammed Malami, stressed that good health begins with everyday choices rather than hospital visits alone.
Malami explained that personal hygiene, healthy eating habits and other preventive practices within homes and communities are essential to reducing the spread of diseases and improving overall wellbeing.
He urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health by embracing positive habits, observing preventive health measures and making informed decisions that protect themselves and their families.
The health educator also emphasised that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment, noting that promoting healthy behaviour could reduce the burden of diseases on individuals, families and the healthcare system.
He called for greater community participation in health promotion initiatives, stressing that public awareness and behavioural change remain important components of effective healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, the Gombe State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Health Educators (NAHE), Comrade Nasiru Bappayo Dukku, represented by Usman Ibrahim Nagodi, commended the Ministry of Health and sister agencies for their contributions to the development of the state’s health sector.
Dukku highlighted the critical role of health educators in educating communities, encouraging preventive practices and supporting government efforts to achieve public health objectives.
He, however, called on the state government to establish a clear career structure for health educators and provide a dedicated budget line for health education activities to strengthen their effectiveness and ensure sustainable implementation of health promotion programmes.
Activities during the commemoration included a health education lecture for pregnant women attending an Antenatal Care (ANC) session at Town Maternity, distribution of health promotion flyers, display of educational posters and community sensitisation on healthy living and disease prevention.
The activities were designed to bring essential health information closer to residents and encourage them to make healthier choices in their daily lives.
The commemoration reaffirmed the importance of health promotion as a key component of primary healthcare, with stakeholders emphasising that sustained public awareness, community engagement and preventive action are vital to building healthier communities across Gombe State.
The message was clear: preventing disease begins with everyday choices, and healthier communities start with informed individuals.
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