By Haruna Gimba
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (UK-DFID) to help in strengthening institutional synergy in support of the state investment in healthcare delivery system.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, the signing of the agreement take place on Monday at the Governor’s office between Governor Ganduje and the Head of DFID in Nigeria, Miss Debbie Palmer.
As the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme (MNCH2), is rounding off next year, 2019, concerns have emerged over the continuation and sustainability of the programme, which eventually resulted into the emergence of the Transition and Sustainability Plans to further consolidate all gains fruited,” the statement said.
Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
Health Reporters gathered that the agreement gives concern to enhancing and safeguarding gains attached to the Primary Health Care System, especially for delivery of care for women, newborns and children in Kano state.
“In order to reduce household financial hardship, the Kano State Government will continue to sustain the provision of free MNCH medicines and supplies at health facilities that are currently supported by both UK-DFID and Kano state Government,” the statement said.
While concerning about women, children, newborns and marginalised communities, the letter of agreement aims at ensuring effective partnership and high-level commitment to the long-term goal to save and improve the lives of state citizens for generations to come.
To further maintain the process through its originality, the document puts it clearly that, “this letter of arrangement does not replace, but builds on the existing partnership between the Kano State Government and the UK government acting through the DFID.
“UK government appreciates that, as Kano state government launched the state Development Plan II in 2016 that was aimed at achieving sustainable growth in many sectors. MNCH2 is aligned with this plan and supports Kano State Government’s priorities and commitment to strengthen its health sector,” the letter of agreement says.
The letter further acknowledges that DFID applauds the progress made by the Kano State Government to increase its domestic funding for health in order to ensure Universal Health Coverage for its citizens.
Kano State Government has enacted laws to establish the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme and the Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) to ensure sustainable healthcare. DFID, through MNCH2, will support the implementation of these laudable initiatives.”
“DFID congratulates the Kano State Government on achieving 13% allocation of the State budget to the health sector. The Kano State Government will ensure increased and consistent appropriations and release of funds towards achieving at least 15% allocation and of its budget to the health sector.”
