Kaduna Strengthens Health Accountability as Stakeholders Unite at Landmark #OpenKadunaHealthSectorDialogue
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
In a powerful demonstration of collaboration and commitment to public health, stakeholders from across Kaduna State and beyond gathered at Hotel Seventeen for the quarterly Open Kaduna Health Sector Policy Dialogue, organized by the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna (KADMAM), with support from the Engender Health Partners, the Lafiya Program, and other partners.
The dialogue spotlighted community-led accountability in primary health care financing, evidence-based reforms, and strategies to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.
Representing Her Excellency, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Umma K. Ahmed, delivered the deputy governor’s remarks.
She commended KADMAM for convening the high-level dialogue and highlighted Kaduna State’s commitment to health, including allocating at least 15% of the state budget to health, renovating PHCs in all 255 wards, elevating some to level 2 status, rehabilitating secondary health facilities, and maintaining regular immunization services, earning national recognition.
“Every policy, reform, and investment must translate into healthier mothers, resilient newborns, thriving children, and empowered communities,” Dr. Ahmed emphasized.
She stressed that accountability transforms intention into impact, and platforms like this dialogue allow stakeholders to identify gaps, share evidence, and co-create solutions that reach citizens.
KADMAM Co-chair, Garba Muhammed, while delivering the welcome address, underscoring transparency, citizen participation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
He highlighted that the dialogue is not just a meeting but a reaffirmation of trust and shared responsibility, ensuring that every naira spent on primary health care yields measurable improvements for women, children, and families.
During his address, Muhammed also celebrated the leadership and contributions of key figures in Kaduna’s health sector. His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, was recognized with the Kaduna State Champion of Health Advancement Award for visionary leadership in strengthening PHC delivery.
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, was honored with the Royal Excellence Award for Community Mobilization and Public Health Advocacy for his efforts in supporting health initiatives.
While Prof. Clara L. Ejembi, ABU Zaria, received the Distinguished Mentor and Health Systems Development Award for her transformational contributions to public health and mentorship.
Goodwill messages from prominent partners and stakeholders reinforced the dialogue’s central theme.
Mubarak Abdulganiyi Al-Ameer, Co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Kaduna State, highlighted the importance of institutionalizing citizen participation, publishing health data, and strengthening collaboration between government and civil society to improve PHC delivery.
Dr. Muhammed Lecky, Chairperson of the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), emphasized HSRC’s role in tracking national health financing, supporting reliable power and the SCAPP project across more than 200 PHCs in Kaduna, and providing legislative guidance for health sector reforms.
He welcomed the launch of the Kaduna Health Sector Scorecard, which captures facility-level performance across 80 PHCs and 16 secondary facilities, promoting data-driven accountability.
Ayo Adebisosuye, representing LACSOP and LASAM (Lagos), praised KADMAM and development partners for setting a national standard for citizen-centered health governance, and affirmed readiness to collaborate on inter-state learning and strengthening accountability ecosystems.
On his part, Safiyanu Bichi, representing KANSLAM (Kano State), commended KADMAM for convening a community-driven, action-focused accountability platform, and reaffirmed commitment to sharing best practices and advancing maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes across Northern Nigeria.
In his vote of thanks, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare, Chairman of KADMAM’s Board of Trustees, lauded the high turnout and quality of contributions.
He acknowledged the Ministry of Health, traditional leaders, development partners, and civil society organizations for creating a conducive environment for reflection, learning, and collaboration.
He emphasized that insights from the dialogue would be validated and integrated into KADMAM’s action plans and ongoing health sector reforms.
The dialogue climaxed with a collective pledge to strengthen community-led oversight, promote equitable and accountable health systems, and ensure that every citizen in Kaduna State benefits from quality, people-centered healthcare.
The #OpenKadunaHealthSectorDialogue once again demonstrated that collaboration, transparency, and evidence-driven decision-making remain the foundation for transforming health systems and improving lives in Kaduna State.
#KadunaHealthReforms #PHCAccountability #KADMAM #KadunaHealthScorecard #RMNCAH
