by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna City yesterday went agog, as the state played host to the gathering of policymakers, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and development partners for the #OpenKaduna HealthSectorPolicyDialogue.
The historic event, organized by the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM), in collaboration with the Engender Health Consortium, the Lafiya Programme, Nigeria Health Watch, and the FCDO-Lafiya Programme, marked a significant step towards ensuring health sector financing, transparency, inclusivity and accountability.
Addressing the gathering, in her opening remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, conveyed Governor Uba Sani’s warmest greetings to the cream of participants for their commitment to the well-being of Kaduna’s citizens.
The Deputy Governor, represented by State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, commended KADMAM’s relentless advocacy and highlighted the state’s recent health achievements, including the budget allocation of at least 15%, in line with the Abuja Declaration.
These also include the renovations of at least one primary health center in each of the 255 wards, upgrades to several primary health centers to Level 2 standards, and ongoing development of secondary facilities.
She said, “Our health allocations have consistently met or exceeded 15%,” she noted, adding that “Regular immunizations have earned the state several awards.”
Deputy Governor Hadiza emphasized that “Policy without accountability is ‘intention without impact.’” She urged participants to use the dialogue to examine effective strategies, confront existing gaps, and refine approaches, based on evidence.
Accordingly, she identified maternal, newborn, and child health as her areas of focus, and assured the attendees that during this administration, her office would review the dialogue’s outputs and incorporate relevant recommendations into ongoing reforms.
Also speaking, Dr. Umma K. Ahmed, the Hon. Commissioner of Health, addressed the conference and expressed the Governor’s support for the gathering, describing the theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare,’ as timely and visionary.
Dr. Ahmed outlined Kaduna’s digital health reforms, including the rollout of electronic medical records, health management information systems, telemedicine, and AI-enabled analytics aimed at advancing universal health coverage, while prioritizing Islamic ethics in care.
Her speech also emphasized the state’s commitment to reproductive health, the elimination of harmful cultural practices, palliative care, control of non-communicable diseases, and the development of “Ibadah-friendly” AI systems that respect prayer times, privacy, and modesty.
She praised IMAN’s mega medical and surgical outreach as an embodiment of the Prophetic tradition of compassion, promising to bring healing to many families across Kaduna.
Adding a traditional perspective, His Royal Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, delivered remarks at the dialogue.
She commended KADMAM for sustaining the #OpenKadunaHealthSector platform and reiterated the emirate’s role in mobilizing communities to promote antenatal care, skilled deliveries, and immunizations.
“Our traditional institutions have always played a crucial role in mobilizing communities and encouraging collective responsibility,” he stated, pledging continued outreach at the grassroots level.
In his welcome address, the co-Chair of the KADMAM, Muhammad Graba, warmly thanked all guests, especially Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who was represented by Commissioner of Health Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed.
The co-Chair highlighted KADMAM’s quarterly, citizen-led platform aimed at strengthening transparency, community participation, and evidence-based decision-making in Kaduna’s health sector.
He recounted Kaduna’s recent health achievements, including budget allocations that consistently meet the Abuja Declaration target of 15%, renovations of primary health centers in each ward, upgrades to several centers to Level 2 standards, and ongoing work on secondary facilities that have garnered awards for the state.
The co-Chair reiterated that, the #OpenKadunaHealthSectorDialogue is more than just a meeting; it represents a commitment to transparency, trust, and collective action towards a Kaduna where maternal and child deaths are eliminated, and health systems serve everyone.
He expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Health, the Permanent Secretary, the Commissioner of Planning and Budget, the Commissioner of Finance, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, the Director-General of KADCHMA, and all development partners for their attentive support. He concluded with a blessing.