By GARBA MUHAMMAD

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health, with support from the EngenderHealth-led Consortium, has commenced a two-day stakeholders’ workshop to finalise the adaptation of the National Guidelines for Ward Development Committees (WDCs), a move aimed at strengthening community participation, accountability and governance in primary healthcare delivery across the state.

The workshop, whichh began on Thursday in Zaria, brought together officials of the Ministry of Health, the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB), development partners, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders to review the draft guideline ahead of its formal adoption.

Speaking at the workshop, the Lead Consultant and Facilitator, Prof. Clara Ejembi, said the exercise was designed to review and finalise the zero draft of the Kaduna State WDC Guideline and develop a roadmap for its statewide implementation.

She explained that the adapted guideline would strengthen the capacity of Ward Development Committees to promote community ownership, improve accountability and support the delivery of quality primary healthcare services.

According to her, Kaduna State plans to disseminate the adapted guideline in August 2026, after which implementation will commence, with a comprehensive assessment to be conducted one year later to evaluate progress, identify implementation gaps and recommend improvements.

Prof. Ejembi noted that the adaptation reflects Kaduna State’s commitment to institutionalising community participation in health governance and enhancing the performance of primary healthcare facilities in line with national standards.

Participants at the workshop included representatives of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB), the EngenderHealth-led Consortium, development partners, civil society organisations, the Open Government Partnership (OGP), represented by its Co-Chair, Mubarak Al-Ameer, as well as the Co-Chair of the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM) and Chairman of the Alliance for Kaduna Accountability and Strategic Advocacy (AKASA Network), Garba Muhammad.

Stakeholders expressed confidence that the finalised guideline would strengthen Ward Development Committees as effective platforms for community mobilisation, citizen engagement, transparency and accountability, ultimately improving access to quality primary healthcare services and health outcomes across Kaduna State.

•PHOTO: Participants at the two-day stakeholders’ workshop to finalise the adaptation of the National Guidelines for Ward Development Committees (WDCs), a move aimed at strengthening community participation, accountability and governance in primary healthcare delivery across Kaduna State.