Kaduna govt deepens partnership with LGAs on primary healthcare.

Kaduna State is intensifying efforts to bolster primary healthcare services by adopting the Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework across its 23 local government areas. This commitment was underscored at a three-day orientation workshop for local government chairpersons and stakeholders in Kaduna.

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Sustainable improvements in health outcomes could only be achieved when governance systems are open, inclusive, responsive and accountable to the people they serve.

Umma Ahmed, the Commissioner for Health, stated that sustainable improvements in health outcomes depend on governance systems that are open, inclusive, responsive, and accountable. She highlighted Kaduna's leading role in Nigeria's OGP initiative, citing achievements in fiscal transparency, citizen engagement, procurement reforms, and social accountability through State Action Plans. Ahmed stressed that local governments are fundamental to primary healthcare delivery, serving as the primary point of interaction between communities and the government.

The domestication of OGP at the local level is expected to enhance transparency and citizens' access to information. Mukhtar Ahmed, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, explained that the workshop aims to guide participants in establishing permanent dialogue mechanisms, known as OGP Steering Committees, at the LGA level. These committees will bring together government officials and civil society representatives to collaboratively develop Local Government Action Plans (LGAPs).

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These structures will bring government officials and civil society representatives to the same table to co-create your first Local Government Action Plans (LGAPs).

"We are intentionally focusing this rollout on primary healthcare service delivery. This is because health is the foundation of human capital development," Mukhtar Ahmed stated. He believes open governance will improve primary healthcare financing, strengthen resource tracking, and ensure investments lead to better outcomes for vulnerable women and children across the 23 LGAs.

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We are intentionally focusing this rollout on primary healthcare service delivery. This is because health is the foundation of human capital development.

Development partners, represented by Anthony Shamang, commended the OGP initiative for providing a framework to engage communities and ensure health services remain accessible and responsive. He urged local leaders to embrace open governance principles to foster trust, participation, and accountability. Ekanem Isichei from the Gates Foundation also praised Kaduna State for its practical approach to moving OGP from principle to practice, with a specific focus on strengthening primary healthcare.

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By working together, we can create an environment where citizens are informed, involved and able to hold their leaders accountable for the quality of health services provided.