Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has approved the appointment of Dr. Lawan Bala as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s health sector.
Dr. Bala, until his new appointment, served as the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Hospital Management Services Board, where he was credited with significant contributions to improving secondary healthcare delivery across the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, who said the appointment is a step towards consolidating gains achieved in the health sector, particularly after the successful hosting of the Maiden Gombe State Health Summit.
He also noted that recent developments in the health sector, such as the implementation of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for health workers, underscore the need for enhanced leadership under a seasoned medical professional.
In a related development, Governor Inuwa Yahaya also approved the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Bello Abdulkadir, formerly the Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, as the new Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Services Board.
Dr. Abdulkadir is expected to bring his wealth of experience in clinical practice, healthcare administration, and policy implementation to drive further improvements in hospital services across the state.
The Governor expressed confidence in the capabilities of the new appointees, urging them to justify the trust placed in them and contribute meaningfully to the transformation agenda in the health sector.
The appointments take immediate effect.
