Kaduna Deputy Governor Reaffirms State’s Health Commitment

Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, has reaffirmed the state’s dedication to improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the opening of a five-day workshop on Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) in Kaduna, Balarabe highlighted the state’s commitment under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership to prioritise maternal and child health as a key development agenda.

The workshop is led by the Federal Ministry of Health and supported by a coalition of development partners.

Balarabe noted that Kaduna State consistently allocates at least 15 per cent of its total budget to healthcare, in line with the Abuja Declaration commitment.

Read Also: Nurse Offers Free Diagnostic Tests in Kaduna

She outlined ongoing initiatives, including the distribution of free essential medicines to all Local Government Areas, the rehabilitation and re-equipping of 13 general hospitals, and the upgrade of all 255 Primary Healthcare Centres to level two status.

Additionally, the state’s Health Supplies Management Agency warehouse has been upgraded to pharma-grade standards.

Balarabe announced the government’s approval for the recruitment of 1,800 health workers over the next four years to strengthen the healthcare workforce.

She also revealed that a 300-bed specialist hospital dedicated to obstetric and neonatal care is nearing completion, with necessary equipment already procured.

Expressing gratitude to development partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, Balarabe acknowledged their continued support in advancing maternal and child health in the state.

She emphasised that the success of the initiative relies on stakeholders’ full understanding of its components and responsibilities, with the workshop aiming to leverage local realities, data, and community partnerships to implement life-saving interventions.

Earlier, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, State Commissioner for Health, described the workshop as part of a broader commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria.

Ahmed highlighted the state’s efforts, including the launch of the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System in September 2024, alongside improved referral systems to eliminate structural and financial barriers to timely care.

While recognising progress, Ahmed acknowledged remaining challenges and called for sustained collaboration to achieve lasting change.

She expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners for their investment and support.

Ahmed added that the workshop aims to co-design practical, scalable solutions rooted in community needs, focusing on demand generation, supply-side strengthening, and financial protection.

She expressed optimism that the workshop would serve as a turning point in the collective mission to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns in Kaduna State and across Nigeria.

NAN