The Kaduna State Government has been praised for consistently allocating more than 15 percent of its annual budget to the health sector.
The commendation came from Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services.
Lawmakers Visit Sir Kashim Ibrahim House
Hon. Magaji gave the remarks on Friday during a courtesy visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, where the Committee met with Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
He noted that Kaduna’s budgetary commitment aligns with the Abuja Declaration on healthcare funding.
Kaduna Recognized for Healthcare Delivery
The Chairman expressed delight that the allocations were not only budgeted but also released on time.
He described this as a clear demonstration of seriousness toward healthcare financing.
Hon. Magaji further applauded Kaduna for ranking top in healthcare delivery across Nigeria last year, highlighting the state’s efforts in human capital development.
Concerns Raised on Maternal Mortality
Despite these achievements, Hon. Magaji voiced concern about Nigeria’s persistently high maternal mortality rate.
He described the situation as unacceptable and called for stronger national interventions.
Deputy Governor Reaffirms Commitment
In her response, Deputy Governor Dr. Balarabe reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to reducing maternal deaths and strengthening human capital.
She described the loss of women during childbirth as tragic and urged the committee to explore specialized ambulances for remote communities.
Lawmakers Commended for Oversight
Dr. Balarabe also commended the legislators for conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
She emphasized that such oversight was vital to ensuring accountability and better health outcomes for Nigerians.