Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to drastically reducing maternal mortality and strengthening the health system to better serve women, adolescents, and the wider population.
Speaking on Wednesday at a one-day policy dialogue and accountability forum with civil society coalitions and development partners, the Commissioner said the state fully understands its health challenges and priorities, especially the urgent need to ensure that no woman dies from pregnancy, labour, or childbirth complications.
He stressed that every child born in Kano must have a fair chance at survival, noting that improving the health and well-being of women and children remains central to the state’s health agenda.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the significant investments already made by the government, describing them as evidence of a strong political commitment to improving health outcomes.
“The purpose of this meeting is to review our progress and identify opportunities to strengthen gender and social inclusion.
“We are here to share evidence, best practices, and innovations in public planning and health system performance,” he said.
According to Dr. Yusuf, improving coordination among partners is essential for maximizing available resources and ensuring that interventions deliver meaningful results.
“Only through a coordinated mechanism can our limited resources be judiciously utilized,” he emphasized.
“Fragmentation will not bring development,” he added.
The Commissioner noted that one of the key outcomes expected from the meeting is a clear action plan and advocacy priorities that will guide health sector implementation into 2026.
He urged all participants to be constructive, focused, and committed to developing an actionable document that will reposition the state’s health sector.
“Let me urge everyone to contribute positively.
“Together, we can make the health sector better in 2026,” he said.
He concluded by formally declaring the meeting open in the name of Allah.
Earlier, the Policy Coordinator of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), Atiku Mohammed Yola, presented key achievements from the first year of the Advocates for Improved Primary Health Care Outcomes project implemented with EngenderHealth across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos States.
He said the project, now entering its second year, has supported Primary Health Care Management Boards in strengthening their operational capacities.
He highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Kano State Health Contributory Management Agency (KSCHMA) to boost informal sector enrolment and advance health system accountability.
Yola also noted Kaduna State’s strong budget performance, where over 80% of the primary healthcare budget was released across two quarters.
“The government has done its part. It is now time for implementers at the field level to do theirs,” he said.
The forum, he explained, aims to review progress, identify challenges, and strengthen collaboration among policymakers, civil society advocates, and community groups.
Sustained collective action, he added, will help reduce maternal deaths and the economic losses associated with maternal health challenges.
The State Program Officer of the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Sabuwa Yahaya, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving health outcomes, service delivery, and community awareness.
She said ISMPH continues to work closely with government agencies and partners, focusing on mobilisation, public awareness, and strategic communication.
“ISMPH supports community mobilisation and public enlightenment through the media and other communication platforms,” he noted.
She added that strengthening public understanding of health policies and encouraging community participation remain essential for long-term progress.
On his part, the State Lead of the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), Dr. Muhammad Inuwa Shuaib, applauded the Commissioner’s leadership in prioritising reforms and strengthening the health sector.
Dr. Shuaib highlighted recent improvements in the state’s health financing architecture, noting that allocation to the sector has risen to 16%, a development he described as a “clear indication of political will and sectoral prioritisation.”
He said LISDEL, as part of the EngenderHealth-led consortium, is scaling up advocacy with the State House of Assembly to secure increased funding needed to sustain reforms and expand access to quality primary healthcare.
In separate remarks, Aisha Abimbola of SOLINA (SPARK Program), Salisu Yusuf representing civil society organisations, and Abdulhamid Abubakar, the State Programme Coordinator of the Lafiya Project, commended the state government for the progress recorded in the health sector and expressed readiness to continue supporting ongoing reforms.
