Kaduna Lawmakers Pledge Legislative Support to Tackle Health Sector Gaps
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly have pledged strong legislative backing to address persistent challenges in the delivery of primary health care (PHC) across the state, following an interactive session held Monday at the Bafra International Hotel, Kaduna.
The lawmakers committed to aligning state PHC policies with national health strategies, supporting legislative reforms, and intensifying oversight of budget allocations and implementation for improved health outcomes.
A major resolution included amending the law governing the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) to make enrolment mandatory for private sector actors.
In their resolutions, the legislators also promised to collaborate closely with local government authorities to ensure timely release of their counterpart funds—60% of capital and overhead expenditure allocated to PHCs.
They also vowed to champion health financing accountability frameworks and support the full implementation of the “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” policy for better coordination of PHC services.
This commitment comes amid several ongoing challenges identified during the session. Key among them are inadequate staffing at PHC facilities, high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and limited awareness of the state’s contributory health insurance scheme, especially at the grassroots.
Other challenges highlighted include the non-release of crucial health funds such as the 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) equity fund and 25% Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) counterpart contribution—factors affecting access to services for vulnerable populations.
Participants also noted the absence of KADCHMA board members, lack of security in some health facilities, and low enrollment of informal and organized private sector workers into the health insurance scheme. Additionally, poor facility maintenance, including inadequate fumigation, was flagged as an area needing urgent attention.
The one-day session was organized by the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with support from Engender Health and the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL).
The objective of the session was to provide lawmakers with critical updates on policy implementation and investment in PHC and RMNCAH (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health), while fostering synergy between the legislative and executive arms of government.
With expert presentations from officials of KADCHMA and the State Primary Health Care Board, the interactive session offered evidence-based insights to guide legislative decision-making and deepen collaborative efforts for sustainable health sector reforms.
The Deputy Speaker, who signed the communiqué on behalf of the Assembly, reaffirmed the House’s commitment to working with government agencies and development partners to improve healthcare delivery in Kaduna State.
