By Emameh Gabriel
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has chosen a golden thread, health to weave a new narrative for his people. Like a skilled artisan, he is stitching together a future where the people of Kaduna are not just alive but thriving, not just surviving but flourishing. Health, as they say, is not merely the absence of disease but the presence of vitality, and under Governor Sani’s stewardship, Kaduna is experiencing nothing short of a health renaissance.
Governor Sani understands that a house is only as strong as its foundation. In his quest to transform Kaduna’s health sector, he has embarked on an ambitious mission to upgrade and renovate healthcare infrastructure across the state. Picture this: 255 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), once dilapidated and ill-equipped, now stand as Level-2 facilities, beacons of hope in underserved communities. These centres are no longer mere buildings; they are lifelines, offering quality healthcare to those who once had to trek miles for a basic consultation.
The renovation of 13 General Hospitals is another feather in his cap. These hospitals, once shadows of their former selves, are being revitalised to provide robust secondary healthcare services. The goal? To reduce the need for referrals to distant facilities, ensuring that quality care is just a stone’s throw away. And then there’s the pièce de résistance, the 300-bed Millennium City Hospital, a towering edifice of hope, now 98% complete. This facility, equipped to handle complex conditions like cancer, transplants, and advanced surgeries, is set to reduce medical tourism and bring world class healthcare to Kaduna’s doorstep. But what good is a fortress without supplies? Governor Sani has upgraded the KADHSMA warehouse to a pharma-grade facility, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines. It is like stocking the pantry of a grand feast, no guest, no matter how unexpected, will go hungry.
Governor Sani’s vision extends beyond bricks and mortar. He knows that sustainable change requires a robust framework, and so he has finalised and launched four key policies and laws to strengthen Kaduna’s health sector. These policies are not just documents; they are the DNA of a healthier future. The Kaduna State Public Health Law, the One Health Strategic Plan, the Human Resource for Health Policy, and the Integrated Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly Health, and Nutrition Strategy are the pillars upon which Kaduna’s health system now stands. The establishment of the Family Health Department in the Ministry of Health is another masterstroke. Focused on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, this department is like a guardian angel, watching over the most vulnerable and ensuring that no mother or child is left behind.
In the realm of healthcare, medicines are the lifeblood that keeps the system alive. Governor Sani has ensured that this lifeblood flows freely across Kaduna. The distribution of 975 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of essential medicines has achieved a 100% availability rate, a feat that makes Kaduna the first state in Nigeria to reach this milestone. It is like a symphony where every note is in perfect harmony, ensuring that no patient is left without the care they need. The fight against Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer has also received a boost with the distribution of 45 motorcycles and three Hilux vehicles for surveillance and case detection. Kaduna’s recognition for best data and financial management, highest x-ray utilisation, and a 20%+ improvement in TB case finding is a testament to the governor’s genuine commitment.
And then there is the battle against malnutrition. The distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to children suffering from severe acute malnutrition has contributed to a 7.4% reduction in child stunting rates. It is like planting seeds in a barren land and watching them bloom into healthy, vibrant lives.
Governor Sani’s efforts are not confined to the four walls of hospitals and clinics. He has taken healthcare to the people, conducting regular free medical, surgical, and ophthalmologic outreaches. The December 2024 outreach in Kafanchan, which benefited 2,300 residents, is a shining example of this commitment. It is like a healing rain, quenching the thirst of those in need. The Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) is another game changer. This system, designed to provide timely emergency response, is like a guardian angel, swooping in to save lives when every second counts. The establishment of 120 neonatal corners across the state has significantly reduced neonatal morbidity and mortality. These corners are like cradles of hope, ensuring that every newborn gets the best start in life. And let’s not forget the upgraded Audiology & Speech Therapy unit, a partnership with MAMA SEED OIL LTD, which is ensuring better healthcare access for persons with hearing impairments. It’s like giving a voice to the voiceless.
The fruits of Governor Sani’s labour are already evident. The NDHS 2023-2024 findings reveal a significant improvement in maternal and child health outcomes. Births assisted by skilled providers have increased from 26.5% to 35.6%, and institutional deliveries have risen from 17.6% to 25.9%. These numbers are not just statistics; they are stories of lives saved, futures secured, and hope restored.
Governor Uba Sani is not just a leader; he is a healer, a visionary, and a builder. His efforts to fix the long-standing insecurity in Kaduna State are commendable, but it is his focus on health that truly sets him apart. Health, as he rightly believes, is not just wealth; it is life. And with healthy citizens, Kaduna is not just surviving; it is thriving. In the words of an old adage, “A healthy man is a wealthy man.” Under Governor Sani’s leadership, Kaduna is on its way to becoming the wealthiest state in Nigeria, not in terms of money, but in terms of the health and vitality of its people. The journey is far from over, but with every step, Kaduna is moving closer to a future where health is not just a privilege but a right, not just a dream but a reality.
Governor Uba Sani is not just fixing lives; he is breathing life into Kaduna. And in doing so, he is ensuring that the state’s heart beats stronger, louder, and prouder than ever before.
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