A NEW TIMETABLE FOR HEALTH

 Kaduna State is committed to the health of the citizens, reckons MICHAEL DANJUMA

Kaduna is beating a peculiar stereotype of northern Nigeria being strangers to excellence. Recently, it was reported that the state is blazing trails in the health sector. According to the report, Kaduna State surpassed the target of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) of 90% performance by 8%.

This good news was shared by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, at a retreat for all the newly elected 23 local government chairmen of the state recently. The two-day retreat which was organised by the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), in collaboration with the state government, harped on communicating the importance of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) as the foundation of the healthcare system.

Highlighting the gains of the administration in the area of Primary Health Care (PHC), Dr. Balarabe said that Kaduna ranked 15th with just 55% performance in 2015, but its present performance of 98% in 2024 is a measure of passion and commitment. The NPHCDA is charged with reporting ‘Primary Health Care space-around immunization, reducing maternal and child deaths, strengthening PHC towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving human capital development.’ While it is a record to be proud of, the deputy governor who is also a doctor warned that the state still has grounds to cover.

“We’ve had our challenges, but we’ve also recorded some gains,” Dr Balarabe told attendees at the retreat which included 23 local government chairpersons, the commissioner for health, and other stakeholders.

“We realise that if we get it right at this level, we will get the other levels right as well. Too many of our women still give birth in the hands of unskilled attendants, while we still fall short of achieving full immunization cover across the state, among other challenges. As local government chairmen, you are at the front line of this battle for the wellbeing of our people. You are not just administrators; you are the guardians of your communities’ futures. Every child vaccinated has a future secured. Every mother receiving proper antenatal care is a family protected. Every healthcare facility improved is a community strengthened. Let your actions demonstrate that in our state, we value every life, we advocate for every child’s potential, and we uphold every mother’s right to safe childbirth.”

It is gratifying to know that in Kaduna, both the state and the local governments have a synergy tied to serving the people. And with the newly directed local government autonomy in place, the job of actually delivering democratic goods to the people would be done in harmony.  

In fact, Dr Balarabe reminded them of this task by saying “it is not only about managing resources or implementing policies; it is about nurturing the health of your people, advocating for equitable access to healthcare, and leading initiatives that address the specific needs of communities.”

She also reminded them that the Sani-led administration is focused on developing Human Capital Development (HCD) which is part of the administration’s S.U.S.T.A.I.N Manifesto.

“Health and Education are the two major barometers for measuring progress in HCD,” said the deputy governor who is also a doctor.

“The administration of Senator Uba Sani, stands ready to support you in this mission. Our commitment to rural transformation remains unwavering. Yet, let us remember that the true measure of our success will not only be found in the infrastructure we build or the equipment we procure, but also in the lives we save, the communities we uplift, and the future we secure. The health of our citizens is not just statistics; it is about real lives, families, and futures. It behoves us to initiate transformative changes that will bring about healthier and more prosperous societies.”

Since coming into office in May 2023, the Sani-led administration has been committed to prioritising healthcare. In Kaduna’s 2024 budget, health got the second largest sum after education. While education got N115bn 25.19% of the budget, health got N72bn or 15.63%. The increase in budgetary allocation to health shows the seriousness which the government attaches to the sector.

In August, Dr Balarabe had drawn attention to the impressive strides during the Kaduna State PHC MoU Endline Technical Review Meeting.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that all citizens have access to quality and affordable healthcare,” she said, acknowledging the inputs of partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates and Aliko Dangote foundations.

“We have made tremendous progress, surpassing the national target of 90% and achieving an impressive 98% in the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s 6th score card. We have surpassed expectations at home (the North West), let’s look beyond that and aim to do better than the best in other regions. We can do it, I believe we can and I know with the crop of individuals here, we will do it.”

Recently, the state government took health checks to the residents. During the exercise tagged “Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number”, people across the three senatorial zones were screened for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K Ahmed, said that over half a million residents benefitted from the screening exercises which held in local government areas like Zaria, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, Soba, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun, Igabi, Jemaá, Kachia, Zangon Kataf and Kaura.

At the onset of the screening, Hajiya Umma said: “The designated locations include; PHCs, General Hospitals, markets, motor parks, higher institutions of learning in the selected LGAs as well as State and Federal Secretariat, Government House, State House, Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Board. This campaign will focus on both urban and rural populations, with a special emphasis on underserved communities to ensure equitable access to free screening and treatment services. The initiative seeks to enhance public awareness, improve data collection, and foster collaboration among various healthcare stakeholders to improve overall health outcomes.”

In September, the government began the reconstruction of nine general hospitals, some of which had been abandoned for up to 20 years.

“This ambitious initiative has carefully selected three general hospitals from each Senatorial Zone to benefit equitably from the upgrades,” said the Acting Special Adviser to Governor Sani on Project Monitoring, Implementation, and Results Delivery, Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi. Some of the hospitals earmarked for this vital project in their respective zones include General Hospital Ikara,⁠General Hospital Maigana, Soba LGA, General Hospital Rigasa, Igabi LGA, General Hospital Giwa, Giwa LGA, and General Hospital Sabon Tasha, Chikun LGA.

While Nigeria is going through economic challenges, making hunger become a number one problem, it is commendable that Kaduna, under Gov. Sani, is also devoting adequate attention to healthcare which is yielding results. Without good health, few things would interest a person, including food. Maintaining good health is very important and that is why Kaduna also deserves kudos for the seriousness it is devoting to its health sector.

· Danjuma writes from Kaduna

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