Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
Kano State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with development partners, has organized a four-day Health Sector Harmonization Workshop for the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
The workshop, convened under the framework of the Health Sector Renewal Compact and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative, brought together key stakeholders to review, align, and consolidate health sector plans for improved service delivery.
The SWAp initiative emphasizes one plan, one budget, one report, and a common conversation.
The 2026 AOP was designed to address Kano State’s specific health needs while aligning with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB), the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), and the HOPE Project.
Notable participants included the Commissioner for Health, represented by the Director General, SPHCMB; the Deputy Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; the Chairman House Committee on Health, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Heads of MDAs, representatives of Civil Society Organizations; and development partners such as FCDO Lafiya, WHO, UNICEF, and SANDHDEF.
During the workshop, participants finalized intervention indicators, reviewed draft AOP activities, identified overlaps, and ensured alignment across MDAs and partners.
A major outcome was the harmonization of MDA-level AOPs into a consolidated State-level 2026 AOP, with a committee established to track performance against Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
Key resolutions reached include engaging additional funding sources to close identified gaps, assigning MDAs to specific DLIs for stronger accountability and ensuring activities align with respective situation analysis (SITAN).
Others are developing only SMART activities (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound ) and implementing only activities captured within the Health MoU and included in the AOP.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his consistent support to the health sector.
He also commended the Kano state House of Assembly, heads of MDAs, CSOs, and development partners for their contributions in strengthening the state’s health system.
Rel/Khadijah Aliyu
