Pulse.ng : Kaduna Health Council Charts New Path Toward Resilient Health System

By Affiong Edim

Kaduna State is laying the foundation for a more resilient and responsive health system, as leaders and stakeholders gathered at the 13th Kaduna State Council on Health to align on strategies for health security and system strengthening.

The event, held at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, was opened by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who emphasized the urgent need for collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment in the health sector.

Speaking on the Council’s theme, “Global Health Security: Strengthening Health Systems for Resilience in Kaduna State,” Dr. Balarabe said the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising threats of climate change underscore the critical need for systems that can absorb shocks and maintain essential services.

'A strong and resilient healthy system is not a luxury - it is a lifeline' she said health security is no longer optional but essential.

Dr. Balarabe highlighted several key initiatives under Governor Uba Sani’s administration aimed at fortifying the state’s health system. These include the Human Resources for Health Policy, the Task Shifting and Sharing Policy, and ongoing revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across the state.

She also cited the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) as transformative tools aligning the state’s priorities with national health goals through a unified framework: “One Plan, One Budget, One Report, One Conversation, and One Voice.”

'True Resilience demands more than just infrastructure. It requires institutions that can bend but not break, a system that continues to serve even in the storm', Dr Balarabe said.

She called for continued investment in health financing, digital innovation, and workforce motivation, and advocated for a One Health Approach that links human, animal, and environmental health to prevent future outbreaks.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to building a health system that is inclusive, responsive, and centered on people’s needs. She praised Governor Uba Sani’s “people-centered leadership,” which she said has translated into improved service delivery and expanded access to care.

Hajiya Ahmed urged council participants to develop “practical, evidence-based recommendations” that would boost the state’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats, while safeguarding routine healthcare delivery.

Development partners present at the Council expressed strong support for the state’s health reform efforts.

Dr. Idris Baba, Health Specialist at UNICEF, described the meeting as “a space where ideas are shared, challenges are confronted, and solutions are forged.” He pledged UNICEF’s continued partnership with Kaduna State in implementing the Council’s outcomes.

Dr. Anthony Shamang of the Gates Foundation emphasized the importance of deliberate investments in primary healthcare, financing, and human resources. “These are the backbone of a resilient health system,” he said, pledging the Foundation’s ongoing support toward achieving universal health coverage in Kaduna.

Zainab Waziri, representing the Lafiya Project, highlighted significant milestones supported by the initiative, including the recruitment of 1,800 health Affiong Edim and the establishment of a 300-bed specialist hospital. She commended the government’s commitment to reform and assured continued collaboration.

In the three days, Council participants deliberated on key policy areas including sustainable financing, innovation, gender equity, and climate resilience. The goal: to adopt actionable strategies that strengthen Kaduna’s health infrastructure and improve its capacity to respond to both current and future health challenges.

As Kaduna sets its sights on a more resilient and people-centered health system, the message from stakeholders is clear—health security begins with strong systems, sustained partnerships, and the collective will to invest in the well-being of every citizen.

At the end of the three days meeting, the council considered sixty six( 66) memoranda, approved fouty four ( 44) stepped down sixteen ( 16) and withdrew one ( 1).