A retreat to bridge service delivery gaps and demand for more openness in the management of Kano State health sector opens for the second day this morning in Abuja.

Representatives of various civic groups and government organs in the state would be discussing issues bedevilling the health sector of the state today, the final day of the two-day event.

The event is organised by Women in Media (WIM) in partnership with development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) under the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH).

According to organisers, the event aims to find solutions bedevilling the various sectors of governance in the state, and especially in the health sector. It is geared towards developing an implementation plan for the realisation of the goals of the Kano State action plan of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), especially in the health sector.

Organisers said the recent health indices released by the NDHIS and MCS 2017 for Kano State, shows high child and family health burden for children under 5 girls and women of reproductive age.

Yesterday, various panel sessions were held on the structure and the challenges in implementation of the OGP plan in the state.

Open government is the process of engaging with civil society and the citizens’ in a transparent and accountable partnership to promote democratic, equal, sustainable and prosperous society.

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in August signed an Executive Order making the state to formally join the OGP plan as part of efforts toward the fight against corruption, improved transparency and accountability in governance. Kaduna and Anambra states have also joined the plan.

The Co-Chairperson of the OGP – Civil Societies (CS), Halima Umar, said the retreat will develop mechanism for inclusiveness in the health and other sectors of the state.

“The relationship between OGP and the PAS project is a welcome development that will not only improve the social accountability framework in Kano state, but will go a long way in improving the public engagement in some identified areas for socio-economic development of the state

“By the end of the two day retreat, it is hoped that we will come out with strategies that will galvanize citizens participation in governance in Kano state”, she noted.

Members and participants of the Open Government Partnership (OGO) observing reasons on child spacing.

Members and participants of the Open Government Partnership (OGO) observing reasons on child spacing.

Members and participants of the Open Government Partnership (OGO) observing reasons on child spacing.

Members and participants of the Open Government Partnership (OGO) observing reasons on child spacing.

The Co-Chairperson of the OGP – CS, Ben Umar, would head a panel discussion on service delivery gaps in implementing OGP in the health sector by 11:30p.m. at Corinthia Hotels Garki Abuja, the venue of the event.

A series of strategic engagements and panel discussions would follow until 12:30p.m. when organisers planned to wrap up the session. Those expected to participate in the session among others include Autwalu Na’iya, Head of Service Kano state.

The two-day retreat also presents opportunities to the participants to look at the partnership in line with the state action plan and to agree to the strategies that will be adopted in resolving the missing links in the structure of state’s steering committee.

Follow this page for PREMIUM TIMES’ live updates from the event.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Kano Health Sector Group Photograph.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Kano Health Sector Group Photograph.

10:30pm TEA BREAK!!!

The Co-Chairperson of the OGP – CS, Mrs Ben Umar says the panel discussion on service delivery gaps on health in implementing OGP which she would head shortly after tea-break will focus on the “24 challenges in state health sector.”

Panel Discussion on service delivery gaps – health led by Co-Chairperson of the OGP – CS, Mrs Ben Uma.

Panelists: Hajiya Sa’a Nata’al, Kano state coordinator, reproductive health and family planning; Hajiya Hadiza Saai Gadanya, rep Kano state ministy of health; Hajiya Mairo Bello, Civil society activist; Alhaji Abdulrazak Alkali, Civil society activist and Public advisor.

Mrs Ben Umar says the panel will look at how to include the health sector in the OGP work plan.

Hajiya Bello takes the stage to project the 24 issues in the health sector that were not captured under the OGP plan.

She says the issues projected goes beyond health sector. “The issues also affects Education, water and other sectors in Kano state.”

She lists three the issues on the health sector: Maternal and child health/Child Mortality and Mordibility rate in the state; Inadequate Primary Health Sector/dilapidated facilities in rural areas; and Inadequate training institutions.

In tackling Maternal Child health challenges, Hajiya Bello says multiple and early pregnancy, malnutrition for the children and the mother is major problem.k

Hajiya Bello takes the stage to project the 24 issues in the health sector that were not captured under the OGP plan.

Hajiya Bello takes the stage to project the 24 issues in the health sector that were not captured under the OGP plan.

She explains that multiple pregnancy is when a mother gives birth consistently without child spacing. She further lists the dangers of multiple pregnancy which eventually leads to mother or child death.

She advocates for child spacing as a way to tackle such challenge. She also advocates for community sensitization.

Hajiya Gadanya also speaks on child spacing. She advocates for inclusion of child birth spacing campaign and sensitization in the OGP plan.

Mrs Gadanya urges traditional and religious leaders also to join the campaign and sensitize people on family planning.

She further appeals to the media to report more and create awareness on the importance of family planning.

She says the Kano state government’s the budget had over the years for campaign on Child spacing released N5million; 10million and in the present government N15million but no single fund has been released.

She further explains issues in Child nutrition. she appeals to mothers in rural and urban areas to key into balance diet.

Alhaji Alkali speaks on the issue of training of community health extention workers in the state. He stresses the need for a followup in the recruitment of the students of such institutions so as to bridge the gap of inadequate health workers in the state.

He also reiterates the need for sensitization and promoting family planning in the state.

Hajiya Bello calls for reduction of stigmatization of immunization in the state. She says some religious and traditional leaders opposes the idea of immunization.

She calls for inclusion of more sensitization for immunization in the OGP plan.

The Chairperon, Hajiya Ben said child spacing is allowed in Islam.

Panelist Alhaji Alkali discussing on the need for family planning in Kano State.

Panelist Hadiza Gadanya discussing on child spacing urging the online media and print media to contribute on child spacing.

She stresses the implications of child spacing if not properly conducted. She urges parents to make sure they meet health professionals that will give them the best and safest methods for child spacing.

She explains the challenges the state is facing in getting adequate health professionals in the state. She says the OGP plan should broaden the scope.

Mrs Ben Umar, the head of the panel also stresses the challenge of attitude of health professionals in rendering services to people.

She says there is need to also sensitize health workers.

11:30pm – Panelists takes questions from participants.

Abba Wada Waziri, a participant recommends a proper structure for health workers to be implemented in the OGP plan.

Another participant observes the issue of mothers malnutrition during birth. He says the OGP made provision for that in selecting mothers that are malnourished from the three senatorial zones so as to give them help so as to deliver safely.

He urges that child spacing be put in the OGP. He says there should be synergy between OGP coordinators and the hospitals.

He also appeals that the OGP create family planning drug administration mobile team that can go house to house. “if you go to hospitals you will see women lining up to access these drugs and this is a problem. If there is a mobile team that goes house to house it will reduce such hitches.”

A participant asks the panelist to also look at issues of viral and communicable diseases such as diarrhea in the state.

Managing Director, Kano Radio, Umar Tudunwada says there is need for proper statistics on death and disease rate to be included in the OGP plan.

Where do we situate child abuse? the issue of child trafficking? the issue of domestic violence in the plan?, He asks.

A Co-chairperson OGP, Muhuya Magaji Rimingado urges the house to look beyond the OGP plan in tackling the challenges the health sector of the state is facing. He says the problem is not for the government alone but they should be held accountable.

He frowns at several amount of funds released to tackle health issues in the state that are not being utilized.

Director Information Kano state, Inuwa Idris Yakasai reiterates the challenge of negative attitude of health personnel in the state. He stresses the need for reorientation.

Display of OGP Health indice.

Hajiya Bello takes the stage to project the 24 issues in the health sector that were not captured under the OGP plan.

Display of OGP Health indice.

Rabi Yusuf Gazewa OGP, CSO steering committee official in persons with disabilities unit speaks on the challenges persons with disability face in accessing health care in the state.

She says health workers should be sensitized on how to handle persons with disabilities in the state.

A lawmaker, Nasiru Magaji asks if N15million is enough to handle child spacing challenges in the state?

He suggests that the house attend the upcoming town hall public hearing meeting on the 2019 budget by the state house of assembly so as to make contribution for improvement of funds for child spacing.

12 P.M. – Panelists responds to questions.

On inadequate staff in health facilities, Hajiya Nata’ala says there is need for a supervisory body to identify the gaps and do a comprehensive report back to the government.

She further stresses the need to enhance shifts among health workers.

Mrs Ben Umar wraps up the panel discussions.

12:08pm – Panel session ends!!!

From the left Director of Kano Radio Umar Tudunwa, Director Information Kano state, Inuwa Idris Yakasai