By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Kaduna State’s push for transparency and citizen participation in the health sector has gained renewed momentum. Government representatives, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners converged for the latest edition of the #OpenKadunaHealthSectorDialogue, a quarterly accountability platform convened by the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM).
The dialogue aimed to deepen transparency, community participation, and evidence-based decision-making in the health sector. Co-Chair of KADMAM, Comrade Muhammad Garba, explained that the platform tracks allocation and utilisation of health funds through facility spot checks, public reporting, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
“This dialogue is more than a meeting, It is a reaffirmation of trust and a collective step toward a Kaduna State where maternal and child deaths are eliminated, and health systems work for everyone,” Garba said.
He commended stakeholders, including SLAMs from Lagos and Kano, development partners, ministries, and traditional institutions, for supporting a model that promotes citizen oversight and strengthens health outcomes.
The Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, emphasised the critical role of traditional institutions in driving health-seeking behaviour at the grassroots. He commended KADMAM for championing community accountability and pledged continued support from the Emirate Council.
Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to openness in governance. The Commissioner of Health, Hajia Umma K Ahmed, commended KADMAM and the Kaduna State Ministry of Health for aligning the dialogue with the values of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
The dialogue outlined five recommendations to accelerate governance reforms: institutionalising citizens’ participation, strengthening open health data, deepening collaboration with civil society, promoting accountability mechanisms, and ensuring full transparency in health financing from allocation to utilisation.
The event brought together senior government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, civil society actors, and community representatives, all united in a shared goal to improve Primary Health Care delivery and advance maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.
