Jigawa State has commenced its 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) and Stakeholders’ Strategic Dialogue to assess the performance of the health sector and develop strategies for improving healthcare delivery across the state.
The two-day review was declared open in Dutse by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad Kainuwa, at the Ahmadu Bello Hall, New State Secretariat.
Chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Aliyu, and coordinated by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Yusuf Saleh, the meeting brought together senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, programme managers and other stakeholders.
Dr. Kainuwa stressed the need for stronger collaboration and multisectoral partnerships to address challenges facing the state’s healthcare system, urging stakeholders to improve coordination and sustain evidence-based interventions that will expand access to quality healthcare services.
He said sustained commitment by all partners is essential to achieving better health outcomes and strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (JSPHCDA), Dr. Shehu Sambo, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to evidence-based planning, stronger primary healthcare services and improved health outcomes across the state.
The review also attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Jigawa State Contributory Health Management Agency (JICHMA), JiPHARMA, relevant state ministries and agencies, as well as primary healthcare managers from the 27 local government areas.
Development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Lafiya UK, the Gates Foundation, MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Society for Family Health (SFH), SARMAAN, Evidence Action and the Malaria Consortium, also participated in the strategic dialogue.
The review is assessing achievements recorded in 2026, identifying implementation gaps and generating evidence-based recommendations to strengthen healthcare services and improve accountability across the state.
Highlights of the opening day included presentations on the Jigawa State mini-NDHS and SMART Survey findings, the 2026 Performance and Health Financing Analysis Report, as well as updates on tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, immunisation, non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, reproductive health and human resources for health.
Participants also reviewed the second-quarter RMNCAEH scorecards for the 27 local government areas and identified priority actions to improve health service delivery.
A statement by the Social Media Focal Person of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ya’u Muhammad Sani, said the review is expected to strengthen accountability, promote evidence-based decision-making, enhance collaboration among stakeholders and produce practical recommendations for a more resilient and people-centred healthcare system in Jigawa State.
Usman Muhammed Zaria
