By Emmanuel Agbo, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has commenced a major upgrade of 255 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), transforming them into Level-Two health institutions equipped to handle emergency obstetric and neonatal services. The initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmad, disclosed the development during a recent ministerial briefing in Kaduna. She highlighted that 13 of the 33 general hospitals across the state are also undergoing rehabilitation and are being equipped to enhance healthcare delivery.
Additionally, the government has approved a contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of facilities at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun Wada.
Ahmad noted that under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, the state’s healthcare system has witnessed significant infrastructural and operational improvements over the past 22 months. This includes the renovation of the Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency (KADHSMA) warehouse to meet pharmaceutical-grade standards, with a storage capacity of 8,000 cubic metres and a fully functional quality control lab.
To support health facilities, the state has distributed more than 975 stock keeping units (SKUs) of essential medical supplies and equipped 290 PHCs with diagnostic and treatment tools. The government has also launched a free medicine distribution campaign across all local government areas, targeting underserved communities.
Highlighting future plans, Ahmad revealed that the new 300-bed Specialist Hospital is near completion, with civil works finalized and 85 percent of medical equipment already installed. The facility is expected to offer advanced care and reduce medical tourism.
On healthcare financing, Ahmad commended the administration for raising health insurance enrollment from 527,303 in 2023 to 639,432 in 2024. The state has also enrolled 70,000 vulnerable residents under the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) and contributed N52 million to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support additional beneficiaries.
The commissioner also noted that Kaduna has consistently allocated at least 15 percent of its budget to health, aligning with the Abuja Declaration, a milestone yet to be matched at the federal level.
To strengthen human resources in healthcare, she avered that the state will recruit 1,800 health workers annually across PHCs for the next four years to sustain the 100 percent coverage achieved in the distribution of medicines to public health facilities, as verified by the Federal Ministry of Health.
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