Efforts to unify Taraba State’s health sector budget into a single, streamlined document are gathering pace, as key stakeholders convened this week for a three-day workshop aimed at harmonising the state’s 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
The workshop, currently taking place in neighbouring Adamawa State, is organised by the Taraba State Ministry of Health, with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) programme.
The initiative, as gathered by The Guardian, aims to unify all departmental and agency budgets under a single framework promoting a “one plan, one budget, one report, one conversation, and one voice” approach.
Bringing together a wide range of participants including health officials, policymakers, development partners, lawmakers, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the event, according to the organisers, aims to align health priorities across the board and strengthen service delivery throughout the state.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, highlighted the importance of this development, describing it as a turning point for health budgeting in Taraba.
“For the first time, we’re going to have one budget that speaks for the health of our people,” Dr. Tukura said. “Until now, departments and agencies operated with separate budgets. With this reform, the process will be bottom-up from the health facilities to the top, ensuring that the real needs of the people are reflected.”
He acknowledged the state government’s ongoing investments in the sector but stressed the need for sustained efforts. “We’ve made progress, but we still have a long way to go. If done right, this could be a game-changer for healthcare in Taraba.”
Supporting this view, Pharmacist Reuben Nwunuji, SWAp Desk Officer for the state, emphasised the importance of the harmonisation process in addressing long-standing challenges in health sector planning and funding.
He noted that Governor Agbu Kefas has thrown his full support behind the initiative, in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Governor Kefas understands that health is the foundation of any meaningful development,” Nwunuji said, pointing to the administration’s efforts to revitalise healthcare across the state.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Health Commissioner, Dr. Bodiya Buma, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Harmony Chufor, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare for all residents.
The harmonised 2026 Annual Operational Plan is expected to serve as a strategic roadmap for health interventions, enhance coordination, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately improve health outcomes for communities across Taraba State.
