Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria – Key stakeholders gathered today to assess the impact of a four-year health system strengthening initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by Save the Children in Kaduna State and at the national level. With the project set to conclude on March 31, 2025, attendees from various sectors took stock of achievements, identified remaining challenges, and discussed sustainable strategies for post-project continuity.
The project, anchored by the Gates Foundation in partnership with Save the Children, has focused on four main pillars to enhance healthcare in Kaduna State: healthcare financing, leadership and governance, community participation, and service delivery.
The first priority, healthcare financing, emphasizes the need for increased funding from diverse sources to support sustainable healthcare delivery. Attendees noted that improved financing is critical to achieving the state’s human capital development goals. “For health outcomes to be sustainable, significant and consistent financial investment from government and external sources is essential,” said Ifedilichukwu Ekene Innocent, project representative.
Leadership and governance formed the second focus area, with efforts to enhance the capacity of high-level government officials. “Empowering leaders within the health sector to understand and address health issues effectively is crucial. Quality leadership ensures informed decision-making and better health outcomes,” Innocent added.
The third pillar, community participation, aimed to engage local communities in identifying and voicing their healthcare needs. Through the project, Save the Children worked with traditional and regional leaders, including members of the Ward Development Committees (WDCs), to advocate for the integration of community health priorities into Kaduna State’s annual health plan.
Throughout the program, Save the Children has collaborated with various stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations, and government agencies, building a network of accountability advocates who will continue to push for healthcare improvements after the project’s conclusion.
With the March 2025 end date approaching, stakeholders are identifying outstanding needs and determining areas to prioritize in the remaining months. The meeting also discussed strategies to empower civil society organizations to sustain the project’s impact, ensuring that advocacy for improved healthcare in Kaduna State continues even after Save the Children’s direct involvement ends.
