Bauchi Assembly Moves to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery Through High-Level Policy Engagement

By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram

The Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the State Primary Health Care Development Board, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has organised a two-day high-level engagement for state and local government policymakers and legislators aimed at improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and Nutrition.

The engagement,taking place between Wednesday, January 28, and Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Sharna Palace, Jos, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening healthcare delivery and effective implementation of budgetary provisions in the health sector.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman, expressed delight at being part of the engagement, describing it as timely and crucial to the development of the state’s health sector.

He commended the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Board for organising the meeting, noting that it provided a platform for stakeholders to converge, deliberate, and proffer practical solutions to challenges affecting maternal, child health, and nutrition.

According to him, the engagement was particularly important in view of the recent passage and assent of the 2026 Appropriation Law by Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, with implementation already underway.

“Our focus is on maternal, newborn, and child healthcare as well as nutrition. That is why I am here with the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Dauda, and the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Mohammed Wanzam,” the Speaker said.

He explained that upon receiving the invitation, he personally contacted the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee to ensure full participation, with a view to securing adequate representation and allocation for the health sector.

Rt. Hon. Suleiman disclosed that the current budget reflected a significant increase in funding for health, describing it as a “gigantic upgrade,” which he attributed to the commitment of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the proactive role of the legislature.

He further noted that the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector by the Governor underscored the administration’s resolve to improve healthcare delivery across the state.

The Speaker also praised the leadership of the House Committee on Health, led by Hon. Dauda Lawal, for its instrumental role during budget defence sessions, particularly in ensuring that maternal, child health, and nutrition received due consideration.

He equally lauded the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Wanzam Mohammed, for his diligence and professionalism in steering the budget process to reflect the pressing needs of the health sector.

“The commitment and foresight of Hon. Dauda Lawal and Hon. Wanzam Mohammed have ensured that health and nutrition are given priority in our financial planning. Their dedication has translated into tangible improvements in budgetary allocation for the sector,” he stated.

Rt. Hon. Suleiman reaffirmed the Assembly’s determination to ensure that funds appropriated for health are judiciously utilised for the benefit of the people.

He assured stakeholders that the House would intensify its oversight functions to monitor project implementation and service delivery.

“The Honourable Members will be on your necks through regular oversight to ensure that funds are properly utilised and that the impact is felt by the common people,” he warned.

He called on ministries, departments, and agencies to remain transparent and accountable in the execution of health-related programmes.

Participants at the event included the Majority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Saleh Holi Jibir; Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Dauda Lawal; Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Wanzam Mohammed; Chairman, House Committee on Education and Nutrition; Executive Chairman of Bauchi Local Government and ALGON Chairman, Hon. Mahmoud Babamaji; and the Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, among others.

The two-day engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between policymakers, legislators, and development partners, and to enhance the implementation of programmes targeted at improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and Nutrition in Bauchi State.