Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
To strengthen its health system and reduce maternal and child mortality, the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Contributory Health Management Agency (SOCHEMA), organized a 5-day capacity-building workshop on health financing and pre-actuarial analysis.
The event drew stakeholders from across the health sector and development partners, with support from UNICEF and other key agencies.
Held in Sokoto, the training aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of health systems, their building blocks, and a deep dive into “Health Financing 101.” Participants explored strategic approaches to optimizing financial resources for health, fostering sustainability, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
Speaker after speaker took the podium to underscore the importance of the session.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. AUmar Faruku Abubakar Wurno, emphasized that, the state’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality is unwavering.
He expressed optimism that with proper financing structures and data driven planning, the maternal mortality rate in the state would decline significantly.
“We hope that with the knowledge and capacity gained from this program, we will be able to shift the current high maternal mortality rates to the lowest levels ever recorded in the state,” Dr. Umar stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare Development highlighted the importance of collaboration among agencies and partners in achieving a resilient health system.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of SOCHEMA, Dr. Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, lauded UNICEF and other development partners for their consistent support in improving health outcomes in Sokoto.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, practical exercises, and expert led discussions designed to equip participants with skills to analyze health financing needs and apply actuarial methods to strengthen health insurance schemes like SOCHEMA.
By the end of the five days, participants had not only gained new insights into sustainable health financing but also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing healthcare delivery in Sokoto State particularly in protecting the lives of mothers and children.
