The Kano State-led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) has intensified calls for increased funding and stronger accountability in maternal and child health (MCH) services, warning that financing and implementation gaps continue to endanger the lives of women and children across the state.
The advocacy was made during a media parley organised by the group in Kano, which brought together journalists, civil society organisations, and key stakeholders to deliberate on critical healthcare challenges affecting mothers and children.
Speaking at the event, Co-Chair of CSOs KanSLAM, Pharmacist Maimuna Yakubu Muhammed, emphasised that while government budgetary allocations to the health sector have improved over time, the real challenge lies in the timely release and effective utilisation of those funds.
She stressed that resources earmarked for maternal and child health must be consistently disbursed and directed towards essential services that directly impact women and children, particularly at the grassroots level.
Maimuna expressed concern that a large portion of health spending is consumed by recurrent expenditure, leaving critical areas such as antenatal and postnatal care, safe delivery services, nutrition, and family planning underfunded.
She also highlighted the urgent need to address maternal and child mortality, especially in rural communities where access to healthcare services remains limited.
According to her, “improving health outcomes requires collective action from government, media, and community stakeholders.”
The KanSLAM co-chair further called on the media to “play a more active role in raising awareness, noting that many women fail to access available health services due to a lack of information.”
She also identified key gaps in the health sector, including inadequate staffing, a shortage of essential medical supplies, and weak data management systems.
She advocated the adoption of digital data systems to enhance real-time tracking and informed decision-making.
increased investment in Healthcare
In his presentation, KanSLAM consultant, Suleiman Umar Ismail underscored the need for increased investment in family planning, reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health services, noting that current funding levels are insufficient to meet the demands of Kano’s rapidly growing population.
He also raised concerns over limited transparency in budget implementation, which he said hinders effective monitoring by citizens and civil society groups.
Stakeholders at the meeting unanimously agreed that addressing maternal and child health challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, civil society, media, and community leaders.
They stressed that strengthening awareness, improving service delivery, and ensuring transparency in health financing are crucial steps towards safeguarding the lives of women and children and achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes in Kano State.