Kaduna State deputy governor, Hadiza Balarabe, has disclosed that the government has exceeded the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency’s target of 90% coverage.
Mrs Balarabe, who revealed this during a retreat for the newly elected local government area chairmen, said the performance exceeded the national target by 8%.
According to her, the increase reflects the dedication and hard work of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
She recalled that the state was ranked 15th with just 55% performance in 2015, but with shared passion and commitment of the current administration, it has attained 98%, which underscores the government’s efforts.
She, therefore, cautioned the chairmen not to rest on the state’s laurels, saying that ‘’too many of our women still give birth in the hands of unskilled attendants, while we still fall short of achieving full immunisation coverage across the state, among other challenges”.
‘’As local government chairmen, you are at the front line of this battle for the wellbeing of our people. You are not just administrators; you are the guardians of your communities’ futures.
‘’Every child vaccinated is a future secured. Every mother receiving proper antenatal care is family protected. Every healthcare facility improved is a community strengthened,’’ the deputy governor counselled.
Mrs Balarabe urged the council chairmen to treat healthcare not just as a mandate but as a moral imperative.
She also urged them to encourage their spouses “to become ambassadors of health within your communities”.
‘’Let your actions demonstrate that in our state, we value every life, we advocate for every child’s potential, and we uphold every mother’s right to safe childbirth,’’ she added.
According to her, the responsibility that lies ahead is significant, saying that “it is not only about managing resources or implementing policies; it is about nurturing the health of your people, advocating for equitable access to healthcare, and leading initiatives that address the specific needs of communities”.
While conveying Mr Sani’s warm felicitations, Mrs Balarabe reminded the chairmen of “investing in human capital development is Agenda 5 of this administration’s S.U.S.T.A.I.N Manifesto.
“The administration of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, stands ready to support you in this mission. Our commitment to rural transformation remains unwavering.
“Yet, let us remember that the true measure of our success will not only be found in the infrastructure we build or the equipment we procure, but also in the lives we save, the communities we uplift, and the future we secure’’ she added.
