The Kaduna State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) has said that Governor Uba Sani has repositioned the health sector in just over two years of his stewardship.
Speaking during a courtesy call at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the NMA Chairman, Dr Hassan Bala Salihu, said that the Governor has achieved a lot ‘’firsts’’ in terms of facility development, welfare and training.
‘’Kaduna State has approved and paid the 2024 and 2025 Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF). In fact, it is the first state in the country to pay the training fund of 2025,’’ he disclosed.
Dr Salihu also said that ‘’Kaduna State is the first state in Northern Nigeria to promulgate the Mental Health Bill into law and to integrate mental health services at General Hospitals.’’
‘’It has also pioneered the Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Program, a collaboration between the justice and health systems, to address the underlying causes of delinquency and criminality among youths,’’ he added.
The NMA Chairman commended Kaduna State for bonding medical students, by paying them allowances that mandates them to serve the Government for a certain period after graduating.
‘’This will reduce the high incidence of both internal and external ‘Japa Syndrome,’ where medical doctors leave the State Civil Service for other Federal Government-owned health institutions within Kaduna State or migrate out of the country,’’ he added.
Dr Salihu also commended Governor Uba Sani for implementing the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure(CONHESS) for Doctors and other health workers respectively.
According to him, the Governor has Sustained the allocation of more than 15% of the state budget to the health sector in line with the Abuja declaration, adding that in 2024, he allocated 15.63% to the sector and this year, 16.07% has been earmarked to it.
‘’The Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) is providing timely medical intervention for residents in both urban and rural areas,’’ he added.
Dr Salihu also commended Governor Uba Sani for the ongoing upgrade of 255 Primary Health Facilities to Level 2 PHCs, by providing Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC).
‘’Governor Uba Sani has broken a 14-year jinx with the completion and commissioning of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, located at the Millennium City, which promises to stem medical tourism,’’ he added.
The Chairman commended the Governor Uba Sani administration for recognizing the critical role of medical professionals in governance, by appointing ‘’competent and dedicated medical doctors into key positions.’’
He listed the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere and the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Bello Jamoh as doctors occupying important positions in Government.
The NMA Chairman further pointed out that the Kaduna Branch of the Association has nominated Governor Uba Sani to be its patron because of the feat he has recorded in the health sector.
Dr Salihu also said that the Branch has nominated the Governor for an NMA national award, adding that he will be the third non-medical doctor to be so honoured, after former President Ibrahim Babangida and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state.
Responding, Governor Uba Sani acceded to the Association’s demands by accepting to be the Patron of Kaduna State Branch of NMA, donating an operational vehicle for the Association and hosting the next NMA Games.
Describing the NMA as a partner in progress, the Governor pointed out that the Association is partly behind the success story of the health sector in Kaduna, adding that ‘’we sometimes disagree on some issues.’’
Governor Uba Sani recalled that when he assumed office, he made it clear that health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right in Kaduna State and every citizen deserves good medical attention.
The Governor noted that he has a competent team which is driving the health policies of the state, adding that ‘’I’m happy that we are one of the leading states in healthcare delivery.’’
‘’Our administration’s investment in the health sector has been deliberate, holistic, and driven by the vision to make Kaduna State a model of efficient and equitable healthcare in Nigeria. Permit me to highlight other milestones achieved since 2023:
‘’We approved the recruitment of 1,800 health workers annually for the next five years to address gaps in Human Resources for Health,’’ he added.
According to the Governor, Kaduna State has a total of 255 Primary Healthcare Centres, one in each ward of the State, are being revitalised and upgraded to Level 2 status, positioning Kaduna as the state with the highest number of standardised PHCs nationwide.
‘’We have also embarked on the rehabilitation and upgrade of 19 General Hospitals to provide Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality,’’ he disclosed.
