The Natview Foundation for Technology Innovation (NFTI) recently participated in the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Endline Technical Review Meeting, organized by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health. This conference held in Kaduna brought together MOU partners, including the Kaduna State Government (KDSG), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Fund (GF), UNICEF, and other Development Partners working in the Health Sector of the state.

The meeting aimed to assess the progress of the PHC MOU since its inception in 2015, reviewing the implementation of the program across key indicators, identifying bottlenecks that have hindered performance, and proposing interventions to address these challenges. Additionally, the meeting served as a platform to advocate for the renewal of the PHC MOU and discuss strategies to resolve persisting issues.

In her opening address, the Commissioner of Health emphasized the importance of the meeting’s outcomes in supporting and strengthening healthcare systems, which will lay a solid foundation for the future. She highlighted that, while significant strides have been made, much work remains to be done. Representatives from partner organizations echoed this sentiment, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) emphasizing the need for sustainability in the gains made through partnerships, and FCDO representatives reaffirming their commitment to supporting the health system in alignment with federal government goals.

Presentations during the conference focused on key areas of health system strengthening, including Healthcare Financing (HCF), Service Delivery, Demand Generation, Human Resources for Health (HRH), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Supply Chain Management, and Control of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (C&NCD).

NFTI Senior Programme Officers with the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajia Kaltume Ahmed

The two-day technical review did more than showcase the efforts of the state’s Ministry of Health and its partners. It critically examined the state of primary healthcare across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna, provided updates on interventions for disease outbreaks, and reviewed human resource management. Key recommendations were made to address the issues identified.

NFTI’s Head of Digital Development Dept. Hajia Aisha Sani

In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary affirmed the state’s commitment to addressing every health component, with plans to increase advocacy, prioritize key areas, and implement feasible interventions. She also noted that the MOU has been instrumental in enhancing health security, providing adequate training, and promoting performance-based advancements.

The Natview Foundation remains committed to strengthening the use and uptake of data across key components of health systems, and it will continue to partner with the state in these efforts.

 

Written by Simnom Emmanuel