By Stella Kabruk, NAN
The Kaduna State Government says plans are ongoing to implement the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which is built on the principles of One Plan, One Budget, One Report, One Conversation, and One Voice. According to the state government, the initiative is under the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB).
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said this at the opening of the 13th Kaduna Council on Health, held at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna. She said the unified approach ensures that every intervention—from maternal health to disease control—speaks to one common purpose: the health and dignity of people.
Balarabe said the theme, “Global Health Security: Strengthening Health Systems for Resilience in Kaduna State,” speaks directly to the reality of our times. We live in an age where the health of one person could affect the well-being of many. She said the world has witnessed pandemics that humbled the mighty and disasters that tested the limits of our preparedness—from COVID-19 to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, to the growing threats of climate change. One message rings loud and clear: a strong and resilient health system is not a luxury; it is a lifeline!
According to her, the Council meeting provides an avenue for reflection, renewal, and re-dedication to the sacred duty of safeguarding the health and well-being of our people. “It is a platform where policy meets passion, where ideas are refined into action, and where collaboration becomes the bridge to progress,” she said.
“In Kaduna State, we have taken this message to heart. The Uba Sani-led government has shown unwavering commitment to reforming and strengthening our health sector since the last State Council on Health in 2023. We have developed and domesticated several transformative policies, including the Human Resources for Health Policy and the Task Shifting and Sharing Policy, which aim to improve access, quality, and efficiency of service delivery across the state. We have revitalised primary health care facilities, strengthened accountability through the Mutual Accountability Framework, and aligned our health agenda with the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII)—a bold vision to save lives, reduce pain, and deliver health for all Nigerians.”
According to her, under initiatives such as MAMII (Maternal Mortality Reduction Investment Initiative) and the HOPE Project (Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity), they are investing in the lives of women, children, and vulnerable groups, whose well-being defines the moral strength of society. She added that the government’s march toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is gaining ground.
Balarabe said, “Through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the State Health Contributory Scheme, we are ensuring that even the poorest among us can access quality care without fear of financial incapacity. For us, healthcare is a right, never a privilege.
“But as this year’s theme reminds us, resilience goes beyond infrastructure or plans on paper. It is about systems that bend but do not break. It is about institutions that can absorb shocks, adapt swiftly, and continue to serve, even in the storm. That kind of resilience demands sustained investment in financing, innovation, technology, and, above all, our human resources. It also demands a One Health Approach—one that recognises that human health, animal health, and environmental health are inextricably linked. In this interconnected world, our safety depends on how well we protect each other and the ecosystems that sustain life.”
She said the sub-themes of the Council—financing, innovation, climate resilience, gender equity, and community engagement—touch the very soul of our health system. “I urge you to deliberate boldly, challenge old assumptions, and share lessons learned. Let your recommendations echo with conviction, because what you decide here will shape the future of healthcare in Kaduna State.”
She appreciated development partners—the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, FCDO Lafiya Programme, UNICEF, WHO, and others—for standing with them on this journey. “Your partnership is well-valued and will always be remembered. It has made hope real.
“As we begin this Council meeting, let us remember that health is the heartbeat of development. A healthy child learns better. A healthy worker is more productive. A healthy society is one that can dream and achieve. In Kaduna State, we remain steadfast. Our government will continue to strengthen our systems, protect our people, and pursue Health for All with unrelenting resolve. Together, we will build a health system that can withstand any challenge—a system that serves our communities with dignity and compassion.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, said the theme, “Health Security: Strengthening Health System for Resilience in Kaduna State,” was apt. She said the ministry’s goal is to build a health system that is adaptive, responsive, and resilient—capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to health threats while continuing to deliver essential services to the population.
She said achievements in the Health Sector reflect the collaborative effort of government, development partners, professional associations, and communities. The commissioner urged participants to deliberate and remember that resilience is not built by words but by sustained action and collective ownership. “This Council offers us a golden opportunity to think boldly and act decisively. Let us generate practical, evidence-based recommendations that will strengthen Kaduna State’s capacity to protect, promote, and sustain the health of our people,” she said.
She appreciated the state governor for his support to the health sector. “Your Excellency, under your people-centred administration, the Ministry of Health has recorded remarkable progress in expanding access, strengthening systems, and improving service delivery across the state. We remain grateful for your continuous investment in health as a foundation for human capital development and social justice.
“Imagine a Kaduna State where every mother, child, and citizen can access quality healthcare without fear or delay. Imagine a health system so resilient that it not only withstands crises but emerges stronger from them.”
She commended the Permanent Secretary, Heads of Agencies, Directors, Programme Managers, frontline health workers, and the Local Government health team for their tireless service and commitment to the vision of a healthier Kaduna State. (NAN)
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