Kaduna unveils 5-year strategy to curb maternal, child deaths

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has introduced the Kaduna State Family Planning Strategic Plan 2026–2030 along with the Costed Implementation Plan, as tools to enhance reproductive health, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and foster human capital development.
Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, representing Governor Uba Sani at the official launch on Wednesday, stated that these documents reaffirm the government’s dedication to the health and well-being of women, children, families, and communities.
“Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of another government policy document, rather, it is the unveiling of hope. Hope for the young woman who dreams of completing her education before starting a family.
“Hope for the mother who deserves to experience pregnancy and childbirth safely,” Dr. Balarabe said.
She noted that family planning is more than just providing contraceptives as it’s about saving lives, protecting women’s health and dignity, and ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and every child is wanted and supported.
“Family planning is about human capital development. No society can achieve sustainable economic growth while neglecting the health and well-being of its women and children. Healthy mothers raise healthier children. Healthier children perform better in school,” she added.
The Deputy Governor acknowledged Kaduna’s progress in increasing access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and nutrition services, but also noted that challenges persist, especially in underserved communities.
“Many women still face barriers to accessing quality family planning information and services.
“These barriers include limited awareness, cultural misconceptions, geographical constraints, stock shortages, inadequate funding, and a lack of skilled service providers,” she explained.
Dr. Balarabe stated that the Strategic Plan and the Costed Implementation Plan were developed through extensive consultation with government agencies, development partners, civil society, traditional and religious leaders, and community members.
She stated that the Strategic Plan provides guidance for improving service delivery, demand generation, supply security, workforce capacity, and monitoring.
Meanwhile, the Costed Implementation Plan details the necessary funding, responsibilities, and timelines for accountability.
“Our goal is clear. We want every woman in Kaduna State, regardless of where she lives, her income, education, or social status, to have access to accurate information and quality reproductive health services.
“No woman should have to travel long distances to access a family planning method of her choice. No healthcare facility should experience unnecessary stock-outs. No young girl should lose her future simply because she lacks access to accurate reproductive health information,” she added.
Drawing from her medical experience, Dr. Balarabe said she has seen both healthy deliveries and preventable maternal deaths, adding that “investing in family planning is among the smartest investments any government can make” because it reduces healthcare costs and helps fight poverty.
She called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, healthcare workers, civil society, the media, youth, and the private sector to support the implementation, noting that “government alone cannot achieve these ambitions.”
“As we unveil these strategy documents today, let us remember that documents themselves do not transform societies. People do. Leadership does.
“Commitment does. Implementation does. Accountability does,” she concluded.
Dr. Balarabe reaffirmed Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care, expanding Universal Health Coverage, and boosting human capital development.
She therefore officially launched the Kaduna State Family Planning Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and the Costed Implementation Plan on behalf of the governor.
“May these documents serve as effective tools for improving reproductive health outcomes, reducing maternal and child mortality, empowering families, and speeding up the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals in Kaduna State,” she declared.
Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote, and it was unanimously adopted, setting the stage for a full-scale investigation into the alleged budget scandal.