UNICEF, KSPHCB, Empower Wives of LGA Chairmen in Kaduna to Champion Uptake of Primary Healthcare Services

By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna

In a strategic move to strengthen the uptake of Primary Healthcare (PHC) services and bridge demand gaps across Kaduna State, the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry for Local Government, convened a two-day workshop aimed at empowering the wives of the 23 Local Government Chairmen and LGA Health Educators.

The workshop, held in Kaduna, focused on demand-side leadership and aimed to reposition these influential women as community champions of immunization and PHC services, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Speaking at the opening session, Hajiya Habiba Ahmad Aliyu, Acting Director of Family and Community Health Services at the KSPHCB, emphasized the objective of sensitizing participants to the full scope of PHC services available in their communities.

“Many people think PHCs are just for immunization and antenatal care,” she said. “But we offer over 13 essential services—including nutrition, family planning, disease prevention, and maternal and child health. We need these women to understand this and use their influence to educate others.”

She described the wives of LGA chairmen as more than political spouses, referring to them as the “mothers of their communities” whose influence could drive behavioral change and increase the uptake of life-saving health services.

Highlighting the disparities in health indicators across LGAs, Hajiya Habiba called on the women to take ownership and lead awareness campaigns, particularly in underperforming areas.

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr. Idris Baba, Health Specialist and Gender Focal Person at UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, stressed the importance of evidence-based engagement and the strategic role of gender in improving health outcomes.

“This isn’t the first time we are engaging the wives of LGA chairmen, but what’s new is the emphasis on gender dynamics,” Dr. Baba noted. “These women are well-positioned to influence positive health behaviors. They can help us address cultural and social inequalities—such as favoring boys over girls—and promote fairness in service access.”

He further noted that UNICEF is committed to supporting the state government with funding and technical expertise to ensure resources are targeted effectively and sustainably.

From the governance perspective, Maimuna Safiyanu, Deputy Director of Inspectorate at the Ministry for Local Government, reaffirmed the ministry’s support for improving PHC services. She highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to equip PHC facilities with essential supplies and personnel.

“We have provided beds, medicines, and trained staff,” she said. “But we still face challenges. Many women still prefer to give birth at home. We’re pleading with our communities to utilize the facilities we’ve invested in.”

She also acknowledged the advocacy role of the Kaduna State First Lady, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani, who recently urged the wives of LGA chairmen to take up community sensitization as a priority.

During an interview at the event, Isa Yusha’u, the State Health Education Officer, explained that the idea for this gathering stemmed from a previous retreat organized for newly elected LGA chairmen.

“We realized the influence their spouses hold, and this workshop aims to equip them with practical strategies to support health programs,” he said. “If an LGA chairman succeeds in health service delivery, it is often because he has strong support behind him.”

Yusha’u outlined three key objectives for the meeting: to share performance data by LGA, build partnerships between health professionals and political spouses, and empower the latter to advocate for improved maternal and child health.

The workshop marks a significant shift in how health advocacy and community engagement are approached in Kaduna State—moving from government-led to community-driven leadership. Stakeholders hope this initiative will lead to improved health indicators, especially among women and children in hard-to-reach areas.