NMA hails Uba Sani for transforming Kaduna health sector

The Kaduna State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commended Governor Uba Sani for what it described as the remarkable transformation of the state’s health sector within just over two years of his administration.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, NMA State Chairman, Dr. Hassan Bala Salihu, said the governor has recorded unprecedented achievements in infrastructure development, welfare, and training.

He revealed that Kaduna is the first state in Nigeria to approve and pay the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), having already settled the 2024 payment.

According to Dr. Salihu, Kaduna is also the first state in Northern Nigeria to enact a Mental Health Law and integrate mental health services into its general hospitals.

He further highlighted the state’s pioneering Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programme — a collaboration between the justice and health systems designed to tackle the root causes of delinquency and youth criminality.

The NMA Chairman lauded the government’s decision to bond medical students through state-paid allowances, ensuring they serve in the state after graduation — a move aimed at curbing the “Japa Syndrome” among medical personnel.

Dr. Salihu also praised Governor Sani for implementing the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for other health workers.

He noted that Kaduna has consistently allocated over 15 percent of its annual budget to health, in line with the Abuja Declaration.

“In 2024, the sector got 15.63 percent of the state budget, while 16.07 percent has been earmarked for 2025,” he said.

The NMA chairman applauded the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) for providing timely medical responses in both urban and rural communities, and the ongoing upgrade of 255 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Level 2 facilities offering Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC).

He added that the completion and commissioning of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital at Millennium City broke a 14-year jinx and would help reduce medical tourism.

Dr. Salihu also commended the administration for appointing qualified medical professionals to key government positions, including Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Secretary to the State Government Dr. AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, and Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board Dr. Bello Jamoh.

The association, he disclosed, has nominated Governor Sani as its Patron and for an NMA national award, making him only the third non-medical governor to receive such an honour, after former President Ibrahim Babangida and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.

In his response, Governor Uba Sani accepted the role of NMA Patron, donated an operational vehicle to the association, and agreed to host the next NMA Games.

He described the NMA as a vital partner in the state’s health development, acknowledging occasional disagreements but emphasizing shared goals.

“When I assumed office, I declared that health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right in Kaduna State,” the governor said. “Every citizen deserves access to quality healthcare.”

Governor Sani noted that his administration’s investments in health have been “deliberate, holistic, and guided by the vision to make Kaduna a model of efficient and equitable healthcare in Nigeria.”

He announced that the state has approved the annual recruitment of 1,800 health workers for five years to bridge human resource gaps, while all 255 PHCs — one per ward — are being upgraded to Level 2 standards.

The governor added that 19 general hospitals are undergoing rehabilitation and upgrade to provide Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

“We are proud that Kaduna State now stands among the leading states in healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he concluded.