By Our Reporter

In a decisive move to strengthen public health interventions in Nasarawa State, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, joined the Executive Governor, His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, in a high-level meeting with representatives from Tiko Africa on Wednesday. The delegation from Tiko Africa was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sarah Malaba, accompanied by the Country Director, Dr. Fatima Mustapha Bunza, and Operational Support Leader, Mr. Fomo Sense.

The purpose of the meeting was to explore avenues for strategic collaboration aimed at addressing the pressing health challenges identified under the “Triple Threat” programme. The Triple Threat initiative, a comprehensive public health response, targets three interconnected issues: limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, inadequate HIV treatment, and insufficient prevention measures.

Governor Sule welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the State Government’s commitment to proactive and inclusive healthcare delivery, especially among vulnerable groups. “This engagement with Tiko Africa is timely and vital,” the Governor stated. “We recognize the urgent need to expand our health services, particularly in sexual and reproductive health, and we are keen on working with partners who bring innovation and results.”

Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, who has been at the forefront of several health sector reforms in the state, reiterated the administration’s readiness to integrate community-driven approaches and leverage Tiko Africa’s expertise and on-the-ground experience. “This collaboration is not just about service delivery,” Dr. Saleh noted, “It’s about sustainable impact and ensuring no one is left behind in accessing life-saving health interventions.”

Tiko Africa CEO, Ms. Malaba, expressed confidence in the potential for impactful collaboration. “We are impressed by the State Government’s openness and drive. Tiko Africa is ready to bring in both technical capacity and innovative outreach strategies to make a tangible difference,” she said.

Dr. Bunza added that Tiko Africa’s model has seen success in several African countries by focusing on community engagement, digital tools, and partnerships with local governments to scale up HIV prevention and reproductive health services.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to developing an actionable roadmap for the partnership, with a focus on data-driven strategies, outreach to underserved populations, and alignment with state and national health policies.

This renewed alliance signals a promising step forward in the fight against HIV and the broader effort to enhance reproductive health in Nasarawa State. Stakeholders on both sides agreed that only through collaboration can the triple threat be effectively addressed.