Breaking: Kaduna pioneers Nigeria’s ‘One Health’ initiative
In a historic move, Kaduna State has become the first in Nigeria to launch a comprehensive ‘One Health Strategic Plan’, aimed at harmonizing disease control efforts.
Governor Uba Sani today unveiled this pioneering initiative alongside three other key health policy documents and a public health law, marking a new era for the state’s healthcare system. The efforts, according to him, are set to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations and strengthen the state’s preparedness for epidemics.
The Hilux vehicles
The policies, which also include the Kaduna State Public Health Law, Human Resource for Health Policy, and the Integrated Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly Health, Plus Nutrition Strategy, are designed to address key health challenges. The initiatives aim to reduce morbidity and mortality across the state, with a particular focus on mothers, children, adolescents, and the elderly.
Governor Sani emphasized the importance of the One Health Strategic Plan, which will use an expansive infectious disease control center as its operational base. “We are leading the charge in tackling emerging and re-emerging diseases by ensuring a coordinated response across various sectors of health,” the governor stated.
As part of his administration’s commitment to accessible healthcare, Governor Sani highlighted the state’s mobile integrated outreaches, which provide reproductive health care, immunization, disease screening, and nutritional education to rural and underserved communities. “Our goal is to ensure that even the most vulnerable have access to quality healthcare services,” he added.
In a bid to further strengthen the health system, the governor also commissioned 46 motorcycles and 3 Hilux trucks to enable local government supervisors to conduct tuberculosis, leprosy, and HIV case finding. Additionally, the state commenced the distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), provided through a World Bank-supported partnership, to tackle child malnutrition.
Governor Sani expressed deep appreciation to partners such as UNICEF, the Global Fund, and the Federal Ministry of Health for their contributions to the state’s health programs. He reaffirmed Kaduna’s commitment to building a healthier society, noting that, “We cannot transform our economy without first improving the health of our people.”
The unveiling of these strategic health documents is seen as a major milestone in Governor Sani’s administration, setting a strong foundation for improved healthcare access and outcomes across Kaduna State.
