DAPHO forges new ties for Disability-Inclusive Drug Prevention in Gombe State

The Drug Free And Preventive Healthcare Organisation (DAPHO) has renewed its call for inclusion and community-focused healthcare in Gombe State, with courtesy visits to two key institutions, the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Gombe State Specialist Hospital.

The engagements, held earlier this month, aimed to strengthen partnerships and promote joint action on drug prevention, treatment, and support for persons with disabilities.

At the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the DAPHO team met with the newly appointed Chairman, Dr Ishiyaku Adamu, and members of the board. Discussions centred on ways to make drug prevention programs more inclusive and accessible, particularly for people living with disabilities who are often left out of public health interventions.

Dr Adamu welcomed the visit, describing it as a timely step toward ensuring equity in healthcare delivery. He urged DAPHO to continue prioritising accessibility in its communication materials, noting, “We would appreciate any programs you are doing, making your flyers accessible and available in every format. Anything related to our people is a priority.” He also reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to collaborate, adding, “Whenever you get someone with disabilities in this situation, let us know so that we can find a way to support such persons.”

The delegation later met with the new Medical Director of the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, Dr Dawa Sambo J., to discuss ongoing collaboration in treatment and rehabilitation for individuals recovering from drug use. DAPHO shared updates on its wound care and harm reduction programs, while Dr Dawa pledged continued institutional support for the partnership.

“With this, we would be glad to work with you,” he said. “The hospital will continue to support those who are dependent on drugs. Through purposeful partnership, we can share ideas, respond to challenges, and achieve better outcomes together.”

Through these strategic engagements, DAPHO is advancing an inclusive model of public health, one that connects prevention, treatment, and disability support within the same framework. The organisation’s work in Gombe represents a growing effort in northern Nigeria to build healthcare systems rooted in dignity, collaboration, and equal access for all.