Kaduna Health Sector Gets Major Boost Under Uba Sani

Kaduna State commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltume Ahmad, has said the administration of Governor Uba Sani is rebuilding the state’s healthcare system through strategic investments in infrastructure, human resources, technology and preventive healthcare.

Ahmad, in a statement titled “Healing Kaduna: How Governor Uba Sani Is Rebuilding a Health System That Works,” said the state’s health sector inherited several challenges, including overstretched facilities, shortage of skilled personnel, rising maternal and child health concerns and unequal access to quality healthcare.

She said, “When Governor Uba Sani assumed office in May 2023, his administration embraced a simple but ambitious vision: to build a health system that delivers quality, affordable, accessible and people-centred healthcare to every resident of Kaduna State, regardless of where they live.”

According to the commissioner, the government has made significant progress in strengthening healthcare delivery through investments in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, emergency medical services, and disease prevention programmes.

She identified the commissioning of the 300-bed Specialist Hospital by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a major milestone, noting that the facility would reduce the burden of seeking advanced medical treatment outside the state.

“The hospital represents far more than a modern building; it is a strategic investment in the future of healthcare delivery in Kaduna State. It expands our capacity to provide advanced diagnostics, specialist consultations, complex surgeries and critical care closer to home,” she said.

Ahmad added that the administration has completed the upgrade of 16 secondary health facilities, revitalised 255 primary healthcare centres and constructed three pharmaceutical-grade warehouses to improve the safety and quality of medicines and medical supplies.

On healthcare workforce development, she said about 1,800 primary healthcare workers had been recruited and migrated to the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures to improve morale and service delivery.

“Beyond improving remuneration, this reform restored morale, enhanced retention of skilled personnel and strengthened healthcare delivery across frontline facilities,” the commissioner said.

She said the state government had also prioritised maternal and newborn health through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), which has supported improvements in emergency obstetric care, neonatal services and referral systems.

According to her, the establishment of the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) has further improved emergency response across the state.

“Medical emergencies rarely give warning. Timely response often determines whether a patient lives or dies. KADSEMSAS is reducing delays in accessing life-saving care and strengthening public confidence in emergency medical services,” she said.

The commissioner also highlighted the state’s disease prevention efforts, noting that more than 2 million children had benefited from Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention and that millions of insecticide-treated mosquito nets had been distributed to households.

She said Kaduna had continued to strengthen immunisation, tuberculosis control, HIV services, nutrition programmes and outbreak response mechanisms.

“While hospitals treat illness, public health prevents it. Our investments in prevention are aimed at protecting communities and building a resilient health system capable of responding to present and future health challenges,” Ahmad stated.

She added that the creation of the Kaduna State Centre for Disease Control (KDCDC) had strengthened disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness and emergency response.

Regarding technology, Ahmad said the state had embraced digital healthcare solutions by deploying Electronic Medical Records and improved health information systems to support better decision-making.

She acknowledged that challenges remain in areas such as population growth, healthcare financing, and the increasing demand for specialised services. Still, she expressed optimism that ongoing reforms would position Kaduna to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

“Healthcare transformation is not achieved overnight. It requires consistent investment, thoughtful policies, and a commitment to the well-being of citizens. The foundation we have built provides confidence that Kaduna is on the right path,” she said.