EngenderHealth consortium Partners Launch Biannual PHC Financing Accountability Tracking to Strengthen Transparency in Kaduna
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
In a decisive move to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s health financing system, the EngenderHealth consortium partners has launched a biannual PHC Financing Budget and Accountability Tracking in Kaduna States.
This was disclosed during a two-day workshop with the themed “Strengthening Transparency and Accountability for Sustainable PHC Financing,” which brings together key government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and the media to critically review budget performance, validate financial data, and strengthen oversight of Primary Health Care (PHC) investments.
Implemented by LISDEL, in consortium partnership with EngenderHealth and other partners, the project aims to enhance accountability within Nigeria’s PHC system by systematically tracking allocations, releases, and expenditures to ensure that funds meant for community health services are effectively utilized.
Speaking on the initiative, Isa Gidado, Kaduna State Team Lead for LISDEL, said the workshop represents a critical step toward strengthening financial governance and ensuring that PHC funds translate into tangible health outcomes.
“Tracking how health funds are allocated, released, and spent is not just a technical exercise, it’s a governance issue that directly affects the quality of care people receive at the grassroots,” Gidado stated.
“Through this process, we are building a transparent framework that allows citizens and institutions alike to follow the money and hold the system accountable.”
Gidado noted that despite Nigeria’s progressive health financing reforms such as the National Health Act (2014) and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), PHC systems continue to face challenges of irregular releases, inefficiencies in utilization, and weak accountability structures.
He added that the biannual tracking process would help address these issues by generating credible evidence for policy decisions and advocacy.
The workshop provides a technical platform for participants to review PHC financing flows from 2022 to the first half of 2025, finalize accountability indicators, and agree on tools for regular monitoring through scorecards and dashboards.
The data generated will support transparency, performance validation, and improved coordination among stakeholders.
Participants include representatives from the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Ministries of Health, Finance, and Budget, the Accountant-General’s Office, State Contributory Health Agency, State Drug Agency, civil society accountability mechanisms, and media organizations.
Expected outcomes include an updated PHC Financing Accountability Framework tracking tool, a validated indicator set for the PHC Financing Scorecard, and a joint implementation roadmap to ensure sustained and transparent tracking of PHC investments.
According to Gidado, by fostering stronger collaboration among government, civil society, and development partners, the initiative will institutionalize accountability systems that guarantee more efficient health spending, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
