A house of representatives panel has commended the Kaduna state government for consistently allocating 15 percent of its annual budget to the health sector.
Speaking in Kaduna on Friday, Amos Magaji, chairman of the house committee on health institutions, said the state’s budgetary allocation aligns with the 2021 Abuja Declaration.
The 2021 Abuja Declaration on health is a commitment by African Union (AU) member states to allocate at least 15 percent of their national budgets to the health sector.
Magaji said the timely disbursement funds reflects the state’s commitment to healthcare financing, noting that Kaduna led the country in healthcare performance in 2024, a significant leap from previous years.
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But he lamented the country’s elevated maternal death rates, calling the situation intolerable.
Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor of Kaduna, reiterated the state government’s dedication to developing human capital and lowering maternal mortality.
She described maternal deaths during childbirth as tragic and encouraged the committee to consider facilitating the deployment of specialised ambulances to remote areas as part of nationwide initiatives.
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The deputy governor also praised the lawmakers for conducting a field evaluation of the basic healthcare provision fund (BHCPF), noting that such measures are crucial for promoting accountability and enhancing health outcomes across Nigeria.
