Northern Pulse: Bago pledges integrated health reforms, stronger partner coordination

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to comprehensive health reforms, stronger systems, and sustainable partnerships to improve access, quality, and equity in healthcare delivery.

Bago said this at the opening of the Niger State Ministry Of Health's two-days external retreat on Friday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the engagement was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Bago, represented by the Niger State's Head of Service, Abubakar Idris, said the government remained committed to implementing the Niger State Health Sector Agenda through stronger coordination, sustainability, and system strengthening.

He announced the merger of Primary Healthcare with Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare to improve oversight and integrated service delivery.

Bago said Niger State was intensifying efforts toward strong performance in the 2026 Primary Healthcare Challenge.

He added that health sector funding would increase in 2027 to improve access, quality, equity, and progress toward Abuja Declaration targets.

Bago appealed for continued technical support, financial assistance, and strategic partnerships to consolidate sector gains.

He assured partners of prompt and consistent counterpart funding to enhance credibility and effectiveness of joint health interventions.

He appreciated development partners for sustained collaboration and support toward improving health outcomes for Niger state residents.

The Niger State Commissioner of Health, Dr Murtala Bagana, said the was learning from Kaduna’s coordination with partners including UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and the Gates Foundation.

Bagana said Niger State was introducing a new Health Agenda built on six pillars under Governor Bago’s leadership.

He said the first pillar focused on transforming the ministry’s culture and public image.

Bagana said the second pillar involved revamping healthcare infrastructure while addressing both supply and demand.

He said rebuilding trust and credibility with partners formed the third pillar.

Bagana added that institutional transformation was the fourth pillar, including a delivery unit to drive daily implementation of plans.

He also said that continuous capacity building for health workers was central to effective service delivery.

Bagana said primary healthcare reform was another major pillar of the new agenda.

The commissioner stressed that Niger state also aimed to become a centre of excellence for medical tourism.

Bagana announced approvals for a medical school at Federal University of Technology, Minna, a Federal Medical Centre in New Bussa, and major infrastructure upgrades.

He said the reforms would build manpower pipelines and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities.

Also, the Chairman, Niger State House Committee on Health, Muhammad Nasir, said the assembly had passed several bills and motions supporting health sector revitalisation.

Nasir said the legislature is also provided budgetary support, with the governor assenting to key allocations for the ministry.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, said Kaduna prioritised health through 15 per cent budget allocation, workforce recruitment, and facility upgrades.

Ahmed said Kaduna upgraded 255 primary healthcare centres to Level Two and revitalised 15 secondary facilities.

She said the state procured 23 ambulances and inaugurated emergency and rural transport health services.

Ahmed said Kaduna implemented the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to improve remuneration and reduce health worker attrition.

She said Governor Uba Sani prioritised health because productivity depended on a healthy population.

Ahmed said Niger State was on track for total health sector revitalisation through focused planning and stakeholder engagement.

UNICEF Health Specialist, Kaduna Fied Office, Dr Idris Baba, said UNICEF supported health system strengthening, especially planning and coordination.

Baba said poor water, sanitation, malaria control, and nutrition perpetuated disease cycles.

He said UNICEF would support coordinated government action to achieve better health outcomes in Niger State.(NAN)