The Kano State-led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) has called for increased funding and improved accountability in maternal and child health (MCH) services in Kano State, as part of efforts to reduce high mortality rates and improve healthcare access.
The call was made during a media parley organised by KanSLAM, bringing together journalists, civil society actors, and other stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting women and children in the state.
In her remarks, Co-Chair of CSOs KanSLAM, Pharmacist Maimuna Yakubu Muhammed, stressed the need for increased and properly allocated resources for maternal and child health.
She acknowledged that government funding for the sector has improved over time, noting that allocations have risen significantly.
However,the co-chair emphasised the need for timely and consistent release of funds to ensure they directly address the needs of women and children.
“We are not just talking about allocation, but releases. Funds meant for maternal and child health must be released steadily and used specifically for services that directly impact women and children,”
Maimuna raised concerns that a significant portion of health spending is directed towards recurrent expenditure, which she said does not directly improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
She called for increased investment in essential services, including antenatal care, postnatal care, safe delivery, nutrition, and family planning.
The co-chair also highlighted the importance of child spacing and addressing maternal and child mortality, particularly at the community level where access to healthcare remains limited.
According to her, improving healthcare outcomes requires a collective effort involving government, media, and community stakeholders. She urged the media to intensify awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas, to educate women on available health services and the importance of accessing them.
“The reason we brought the media here is to help create awareness down to the most remote villages. Many women do not access services simply because they are not aware,” she added.
Maimuna further called on the government to address critical gaps in the health sector, including inadequate staffing,a shortage of medical commodities, and weak data management systems.
She stressed the need for real-time data collection and the transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms to improve decision-making.
Also speaking, Suleiman Umar Ismail, presented a budget analysis on family planning, reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health services.
He noted that current funding levels are insufficient to meet the needs of the state’s growing population, urging the government to prioritise increased investment in the sector.
“Funding is not enough considering the population growth. There is a need for the government to prioritise these services to ensure maximum benefit and a healthier society,” he said.
Ismail also highlighted challenges related to transparency and accountability, noting that citizens often lack access to information on budget allocations and utilisation. This, he said, makes it difficult for civil society organisations to effectively track government spending and demand accountability.
He emphasised that improved funding and transparency in maternal and child health would not only save lives but also enhance economic and social development in the state.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that addressing maternal and child health challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach, with active participation from government, civil society, media, traditional and religious leaders, and community members.
They stressed that increasing awareness, improving service delivery, and ensuring accountability in health funding are critical steps toward reducing maternal and child mortality and achieving better health outcomes in Kano State.