The Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), a coalition comprising civil society organizations (CSOs), media, health practitioners, academia, and government representatives, in partnership with Pathfinder International, organized a crucial media parley to address the pressing challenges in women’s health in Kano State.
Daily News 24 reports that the event, which was held at the Guest Pride Hotel, Farm Center, Kano, focused on the theme “Strengthening Accountability and Progress: Building Commitments to Action for Women’s Health in Kano”. The event brought together key stakeholders to strengthen accountability and build commitments to improve health outcomes for women and children.
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Pharm. Maimuna Yakubu Muhammad, Co-Chair of KanSLAM, disclosed the urgent need for the event, citing the high maternal mortality rates in Kano.
She emphasized the organization’s commitment to holding both private and public sectors accountable for the funds allocated to health services in order to improve the well-being of women.
“We look at the budgeted amount, the amount released, how the money is used, and the quality of services provided. We then advise the government on necessary actions,” she explained.
Bayo Ewuola, Senior Media and Communications Officer for Pathfinder International, echoed Muhammad’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of the partnership in advancing women’s health. “Our collaboration with KanSLAM is vital, and our goal is simple – to achieve better health for women and children in Kano State” Ewuola said.
Ewuola emphasized the critical role of the media in the partnership. “One of the roles of the media as the fourth estate of the realm is to ensure that the people in the position of leadership are held accountable by fact checking projects, ensure funding and ensure that the funds are being used for what they are budgeted for.”
Dr. Prof. Salisu Ibrahim, Director General of the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), underscored the broader implications of accountability in societal development, particularly in relation to women’s health. “Accountability is not just a principle for those in power; it’s a necessity for everyone.
“In the context of women’s health, it is the driving force that ensures commitments turn into tangible actions that save lives. We must hold ourselves and our leaders accountable if we are to make real progress,” he remarked.
KanSLAM’s journey has been marked by both significant successes and notable challenges. On the one hand, the coalition has made strides in advocating for increased budgetary allocations in the health sector, achieving a rise from 15.17% in 2020 to 17.23% in 2021. Their efforts also led to the inclusion of equity funds in the state budget and heightened public awareness about health entitlements under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
However, the road has not been without obstacles. Muhammad pointed out the difficulties in securing direct funding and the challenge of engaging with government officials who are often difficult to reach.
“We rely on support rather than direct funding, which makes resources critical,” she explained. “Moreover, accessing the necessary data from government officials can be a challenge, as they are not always available.”
