In a move to enhance healthcare delivery and public awareness, the Kaduna State Government has pledged to deepen its partnership with the media and development stakeholders.
The commitment was reaffirmed by the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, during a high-level advocacy visit by health communication partners at the Ministry in Kaduna.
Receiving a delegation comprising representatives from the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and the Kaduna Health Advocacy and Media Alliance (KADHAMA), Commissioner Maiyaki deslcribed the engagement as profoundly significant, drawing from his personal legacy in public health advocacy during Nigeria’s polio eradication campaign.
“Public health communication is an area I am deeply passionate about. The media plays a very critical role, especially in demand creation—ensuring that people not only have access to services but are willing to use them,” Maiyaki stated.
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Highlighting Transformative Health Sector Reforms, the Commissioner outlined sweeping reforms underway in the state’s health sector under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
Key achievements :
Infrastructure Upgrade: 255 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all wards have been elevated to Level 2 status, now equipped to provide inpatient admission, treatment for common ailments, and essential obstetric care.
Human Resources Expansion: A five-year plan to recruit 9,000 health workers is in progress, with 1,800 already deployed to facilities.
System Strengthening: Comprehensive upgrades of general hospitals, reforms in drug supply management for longer shelf life, and investments in solar power, road infrastructure, and staff welfare are addressing systemic gaps.
Advanced Care Facility:
Development of a new 300-bed hospital with a dedicated cancer treatment centre is underway to curb medical tourism.
Maiyaki identified the three critical delays leading to maternal mortality—decision-making, access to facilities, and service availability—while stressed that, overcoming them requires robust collaboration between government, media, and civil society, Partnership for Enhanced Health Communication.
Responding to advocacy by ISMPH, the Commissioner expressed full readiness to support initiatives aimed at building the capacity of Public Relations Officers (PROs) across health ministries, departments, and Agencies.
He however acknowledged existing gaps and pledged collaboration in training, mentorship, and the provision of modern communication tools.
According to him, “We are willing to partner with you. Count me as one of you—not just as Commissioner, but as someone committed to advancing public health communication.”
Earlier, the delegation had emphasized on the need for dedicated PR units in health agencies, sustained capacity building for communicators, and stronger collaboration to boost transparency and public engagement.
In his remarks, Garba Muhammad, Chairman of KADHAMA commended the state for the recruitment of 1,800 health workers and the upgrade of PHC equipment as “bold and timely interventions.”
While applauding the sustained 15% budgetary allocation to health, Muhammad called for improved budget performance in Family Planning and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH). He urged strategic review to increase the allocation to the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) from 42% to at least 80% to fortify primary care.
He also advocated for the prioritized deployment of new health workers to rural areas with enhanced incentives and sought the Ministry of Information’s support in amplifying media coverage of the health sector for greater public accountability.
Muhammad then reaffirmed KADHAMA’s commitment to supporting the Kaduna State Government in building a healthier, more resilient population.
