19/05/2026
Stakeholders Converge to Address Barriers to Maternal and Child Health Services -- By Ibrahim Sani
A renewed wave of community engagement swept through Bauchi as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, in partnership with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, convened a one-day town hall meeting focused on improving access to quality healthcare services across the state.
The gathering created a platform for open dialogue between health authorities and citizens, with special attention to maternal, newborn, and child health. It reflected a growing commitment to make Primary Health Care more responsive, people-centred, and accountable to the communities it serves.
Addressing participants, Comrade Aliyu Abdulkadir, representing the national agency, described the initiative as a strategic step toward rebuilding trust and strengthening accountability in PHC delivery through direct citizen participation. He encouraged attendees to share honest feedback, emphasizing that community voices are essential in shaping better health planning and outcomes.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue in improving healthcare services.
He reaffirmed that the Bauchi State Government, under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, continues to prioritise the health sector through sustained investments aimed at enhancing service delivery, especially at the primary level.
Dr. Mohammed noted that the town hall offered government and health managers an opportunity to listen directly to citizens about the barriers limiting access to maternal and child healthcare, particularly in rural areas. He reiterated that primary healthcare remains the first point of contact for most residents and is central to achieving better public health outcomes.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the m Gates Foundation, the Dangote Foundation, and the SCIDaR SPARK Project, alongside other implementing partners supporting health interventions in the state.
Beyond dialogue, the meeting helped improve health literacy on ongoing PHC reforms, generated practical community suggestions to guide service improvements, and encouraged greater utilisation of essential services such as antenatal care, immunisation, safe delivery, child health, and family planning.
During discussions, participants openly examined barriers preventing parents from accessing immunisation, antenatal care, and facility-based delivery services for their children and families. Stakeholders also proposed practical solutions to address factors contributing to maternal risks and child mortality, while health experts cautioned that neglecting these services could lead to increased disease outbreaks and preventable deaths.
The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including religious and community leaders, civil society organisations, healthcare workers, community resource persons, artisans, market associations, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating mothers, and other non-state actors — all united by a shared commitment to strengthening primary healthcare for the people of Bauchi.
