Kwara govt flags maternal, child health gaps as 16 health fellows graduate
The Kwara State Government has identified gaps in maternal and child healthcare, workforce availability, essential medicines and health insurance coverage as key challenges requiring attention in its health sector.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, highlighted the challenges while the state graduated its first cohort of 16 National Health Fellows, who completed a 12-month programme across the state’s 16 Local Government Areas.
The graduation ceremony was held alongside activities for the validation of the state’s 2027 Annual Operational Plan (AOP), which is expected to guide interventions and resource allocation in the health sector.
Reviewing the state’s health sector performance in 2025 and 2026, El-Imam acknowledged progress in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV services and health information management but stressed the need to address persistent gaps affecting healthcare delivery.
She also identified weaknesses in referral systems and delays in the release of funds as challenges requiring attention, urging relevant departments, agencies and programmes to prioritise practical interventions capable of improving health outcomes.
The commissioner said the 2027 AOP must go beyond listing activities to provide measurable solutions to identified challenges.
She explained that every proposed intervention should be based on an established need, supported by clear performance indicators and targets, properly costed, linked to a funding source and assigned to a responsible institution or officer.
Congratulating the graduating fellows, El-Imam said their engagement with communities and health facilities had strengthened their understanding of healthcare delivery at the grassroots and reinforced the importance of data, accountability and coordination in improving health outcomes.
She urged them to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the fellowship to develop innovative solutions and contribute to improved healthcare services.
The State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr Ola Ahmed, said the fellows served as a link between health-sector leadership and healthcare delivery at the local level.
According to him, their assignments exposed them to service delivery challenges, supported monitoring and data collection, and helped identify gaps requiring management attention.
He added that the programme strengthened their understanding of evidence-based decision-making, community engagement and collaboration among health-sector stakeholders.
Also speaking, the Director of Finance and Supply, Hajia Maryam Ishola, urged the graduates to uphold integrity, accountability, teamwork and compassion, noting that their experience should translate into practical solutions and improved health outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating fellows, Mr Jamiu Yakub thanked the Federal Government for providing the opportunity to contribute to healthcare development.
He disclosed that fellows deployed across the 16 LGAs had undertaken projects aimed at addressing local health challenges and improving service delivery.
The graduation marks the completion of the first cohort’s 12-month engagement, as the state looks to strengthen health system coordination and use evidence-based planning to address gaps in healthcare delivery.
