The Kaduna State Government, the United Kingdom’s (UK) Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have signed a new strategic partnership on health and governance, as an important step towards stronger primary health care services in rural communities.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will advance the implementation and transformation of the primary health care system in Kaduna State and build upon ongoing support by BMGF and DFID for polio eradication, routine immunisation, family planning and maternal and child health services.
Speaking during the signing of innovative four-year agreement focused on sustainable primary health care systems strengthening MOU at Government House, Kaduna, United Kingdom Minister on International Development, James Wharton said the United Kingdom is committed to helping Nigeria to address the causes of and eliminate poverty, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind.
According to UK minister, Wharton “As part of wider multi-sector support at Federal and State level, the UK Department for International Development has invested extensively in health care in Nigeria and Kaduna State, with a particular focus on primary health
care, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, immunisation, HIV/AIDS, malaria and nutrition”.
“This Memorandum of Understanding further strengthens the UK’s partnership with the Kaduna State Government and with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under a shared vision to improve health,” he said.
Ayo Ajayi, Africa Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said gaps in primary health care service delivery are a serious challenge for Nigeria, as demonstrated in the recent polio transmissions in rural areas of northern Nigeria. “Addressing these issues requires tackling the underlying system that delivers PHC, including and beyond the health center level. The Kaduna State Government is prepared to do so and is paving the way for other States. Our Foundation applauds this effort which will enable the poor and vulnerable to access needed health services.
We look forward to working in partnership with Kaduna State and the UK’s Department for International Development.”
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, while commending Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UK Department for International Development (DFID) for their support, said the MOU will strengthen and transform the primary health care system in the state.
“Health is one of the priority sectors for this government, and primary health care is critical to achieving our goal to deliver for Kaduna State citizens better health and ensure longer life expectancy.”
El-Rufai added: “Our programs are structured to ensure that a pregnant woman does not die due to her inability to access quality services during pregnancy and childbirth, that a child is not lost from preventable diseases that communities are not overburdened with endemic diseases, and that community linkages are harnessed and promoted.”