Citation of Dr. Gaza Gwamna, Commissioner Designate from Toto LG
…..Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency.
Dr Shekwonugaza Gwamna Dogara was born to Pastor and Mrs Gwamna Waije Dakwoyi on the 26th of August 1978 in Nakuse, Dadayako Chiefdom, Gadabuke Development Area of Nasarawa State.
Gaza obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from LGED Primary School Nakuse in 1990, Proceeded to Government Science School, Lafia to obtain his JSSCE in 1993, and SSCE in 1996 from Government Science School, Kuru-Jos, Plateau State.
He gained admission immediately into the University of Jos Medical School and obtained Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 2005.
His quest and desire to advance studies of good quality pushed him to further his education where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Health Economics from Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, United Kingdom in 2012.
He is presently working on his thesis for another advanced degree (PhD) in Health Economics at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Dr Gwamna has obtained certificates in Health Leadership and Management, Wakefield, United Kingdom, Executive Education on Health Insurance from University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Kigali, Rwanda and Executive Education on leadership Development from Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.
Also a Certificate in Health Policy and Financing from Royal Tropical Institute Amsterdam, Nethelands.
Shekwonugaza is an ambitious and result oriented Public Health Practitioner and Health Economist with an extensive background in working with Public and Private Health establishments which has exposed him to much training by World Bank, World health Organisation (WHO), USAID and Abts Associates on Health Financing.
His career started from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia as intern/post intern on locum in 2006 and Katsina state General Hospital Rami (NYSC) afterwards.
Abuja Municipal Area Council (as Principal Medical Officer), MDGs Mailafiya Mobile PHC (as Teams Coordinator), Community Based Health Insurance Scheme FCT-MDGs Abuja (Coordinator).
FCT-Sustainable Development Goals, Project Support Unit, Abuja (Acting Task Manager Health).
He has also worked with UNICEF (as National Measles Consultant Kaduna and Niger States). State Coordinator, Abts. Associates Health Finance and Governance (HFG-USAID) Project before appointed as the Pioneer Executive Secretary/Chief executive officer Nasarawa state Health insurance Agency in 2019.
Dr Gaza was recently re-appointed as Executive Secretary for the second term of four years.
Because of his hard work and resilience, he is a recipient of United Nations public service award (Bahrain 2013),
FCT Minister’s Award of Excellence in Public Service in 2013.
Dr Gaza is presently the Chairman, forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies in Nigeria.
He was elected by 30 States of the 36 States plus FCT in a contest that was merit based and the votes expressed his popularity and trust by his colleagues across the country.
Gaza is passionate about working to support and promote partnerships between sectors involved in improving access to quality healthcare services without any form of barrier towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
