On April 14, 2026, TAConnect and ACEPHAP, through Project EMBRACE and with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, convened key stakeholders from Gombe State in Abuja to validate findings from the landscape assessment, an important step in ensuring that programme design is driven by accurate, context-specific evidence.

The engagement brought together senior government officials, including the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, alongside technical leads from the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Hospitals Management Board, and implementing partners. This strong representation reinforced the state’s commitment to data-driven planning and improved health outcomes.

The session provided a platform to review and validate key findings from the assessment, highlighting critical gaps, opportunities, and system-level priorities across the state. Through structured discussions, stakeholders interrogated the data to ensure alignment with on-the-ground realities, strengthening the credibility and relevance of the evidence base.

A key outcome of the meeting was the collaborative prioritization of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and health facilities. Using clearly defined criteria, stakeholders identified focus areas for intervention, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The meeting also outlined actionable next steps, marking a clear transition from evidence generation to implementation. By anchoring decisions in validated data and fostering stakeholder ownership, Project EMBRACE is positioning itself to deliver targeted, high-impact interventions in Gombe State.