By Sani Adamu Hassan
The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to increased health sector financing and sustained reforms as Global Affairs Canada (GAC) announced expanded development interventions targeting the state.
This formed the highlight of a courtesy visit by a Canadian delegation led by the Head of Development Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, Arash Irantala.
Speaking during the visit, Arash Irantala disclosed that Canada recently announced six new development projects for Nigeria valued at 64 million dollars under its Africa Strategy, with four of the projects directly benefiting Bauchi State.
He described Bauchi as a critical partner in advancing health, gender equality, poverty reduction, and climate resilience, noting that Canada’s engagement is built on partnership, mutual respect, and state ownership of development initiatives.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, emphasized that the state government has consistently met its financial obligations to development partners and remains committed to the Abuja Declaration target of allocating at least 15 percent of its budget to health.
He revealed that over ₦872 million was released as counterpart funding under the Primary Healthcare MOU last year, while ₦300 million was paid to UNICEF as a child nutrition matching grant, with an additional ₦500 million planned for release this year.
The deputy governor further disclosed that ₦500 million has been invested in scaling up the Drug Revolving Fund across primary healthcare facilities to ensure availability of essential medicines. Additionally, ₦132 million was contributed to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, while ₦50 million was released to UNFPA for procurement of family planning commodities.
In terms of infrastructure, he stated that more than 130 primary healthcare centres have been constructed and renovated across the state, alongside the construction of two additional general hospitals.
Jatau noted that ongoing partnerships with Global Affairs Canada and UNICEF have strengthened youth entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, maternal and neonatal health services, and rural livelihoods, benefiting thousands of women, youth, and vulnerable households across the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dauda Mahmoud Yakubu, described Canada’s support as instrumental in strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The visit was aimed at deepening collaboration between Bauchi State and Canada, with renewed focus on sustainable health financing, women empowerment, and long-term economic resilience.