From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
As the Gates Anchor IV grant/project comes to a close, partners, including donor organizations, government agencies, and CSOs, have harped on the sustainability of gains recorded in the health sector throughout its four-year (2021-March 2025) implementation in Kaduna state.
Speaking at the closeout and dissemination meeting held in Kaduna, the State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Aisha Abubakar Sadiq, noted that the main objectives of the program included improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and elderly health outcomes.
Dr. Sadiq explained that the program focused on creating a conducive environment for sufficient and efficient use of health resources, strengthening primary health care facilities, and establishing stronger local institutions”
She noted the program’s achievements, citing improvements in various health indices, such as reduced maternal mortality rate, decreased infant and under-five mortality rates, and lower nutritional indices for malnutrition.
On the sustainability and partnership on the gains of the project, she disclosed that the program has trained local personnel to take over and continue its initiatives, emphasizing the need for partnerships between the government, NGOs, and communities to ensure a sustainable health system.
She emphasized the need for communities to be responsible for their health, rather than relying solely on donor agencies and the government.
She therefore encouraged community members to take ownership of their health sector, reporting any issues or misappropriations to the relevant authorities.
In his remark, the Director General of the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), Abubakar Hassan, whoe shared his thoughts on the impact of the four-year project on his agency’s work, noted that, it had a positive impact and KADCHMA wouldn’t have succeeded without the existing policies and strategies that shaped its implementation.
Hassan opined that Save the Children has been instrumental in the implementation of the program.
He also highlighted teb two key areas where their support made a significant difference, which include the development of a health financing policy in the state and the creation of a communication strategy for KADCHMA.
According to him, these initiatives have improved how his agency interacts and engages with communities and individuals, leading to an influx of people joining the contributory scheme.
He adds:”We appreciate Save the Children’s support and won’t take it for granted.
“We will build on the learnings from today’s dissemination, particularly collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to target our younger population.”
KADCHMA’s Director General opined that targeting younger groups is crucial for creating futuristic change and assured that KADCHMA will push forward with these initiatives, ensuring a smooth transition and placement of change for a better future.
Not left out, a Consultant representing the Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation, Dr Onah Joseph, who expressed eagerness to see the next steps of the program implemented, reiterated that sustainability and community ownership are crucial for the program’s long-term success.
He alo praised the team’s efforts and emphasized the importance of ensuring the system’s sustainability over time, saying that, the four-year program has achieved significant improvements in health indices in Kaduna State.
Similarly, the Program Manager, SCI Nigeria, Dr. Felicia Meriga, appreciated the partners for the success of the program, noting that the program has improved health indices, such as reduced maternal and infant mortality rates, strengthened community structures and local government empowerment and increased involvement of community structures in health decision-making.
She, however, highlighted some challenges, particularly in health financing, where despite positive allocations, there were issues with release, cashback, and expenditure.
On his part, the Advocacy, Campaign, and Policy Manager at SCI, Ifedilichukwu Innocent, observed that despite the challenges, the program had done well in its design with consideration for the local context – involving all stakeholders, including communities, CSOs, government,s, and media.
Our correspondent reports that with a focus on the health sector in Kaduna State since 2021, the Gates Advocacy Anchor IV Grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, aimed at supporting a conducive enabling policy environment, domestic resource mobilization as well as strengthen accountability processes for citizens to influence health and nutrition financing through evidence-based advocacy.
