Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (BOSCHMA), has called for increased investment in sustainable health financing to strengthen primary health care and expand access to quality healthcare across the state.
Dr Saleh made the call Thursday during the second day of the First Bi-Annual Meeting of Local Government Chairmen in Support of Primary Health Care and Nutrition Services in Maiduguri.
The meeting brought together local government chairmen and key health-sector stakeholders to discuss ways to improve primary health care governance, financing, accountability, and service delivery across Borno.
A major highlight of the second day was a panel discussion titled, “Strengthening PHC Governance, Financing and Community Accountability for Equitable Service Delivery.”
Speaking during the session, Dr Saleh said adequate and sustainable financing is essential to building an effective and resilient healthcare system.
“Without financing, we cannot improve the health system,” Saleh said.
He urged local government chairmen to prioritize health insurance as a sustainable financing mechanism, stressing that predictable funding is critical to strengthening primary health care and ensuring communities have access to essential services.
The second day also featured technical presentations by key health-sector agencies on health commodity security, public health supply chain reforms, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N), primary health care performance scorecards, secondary healthcare services, the 2025 Borno Health Sector Review, and nutrition services.
Dr. Abubakar Hassan moderated the panel, which included Prof. Arab Mohammed Alhaji, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board (BOSPHCDB); Pharm. Habu, Ag. Executive Secretary of the Borno State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency (BODMA).
The panel also included the chairmen of Kwayakusar LGA, Hon. Tahir Hamma; Mobbar LGA, Hon. Muhammad Aji; and Chairperson ofJere LGA, Hon. Inna Galadima.
The meeting ended with a question-and-answer session and broader discussions, followed by the adoption of leadership commitments and agreed action points presented by Dr. Shettima Mohd. Maina, Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services.
The meeting was convened by the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, with support from the Lafiya Programme.
The engagement is expected to support Borno State’s health priorities under its 25-Year Development Agenda, particularly efforts to strengthen primary health care, improve accountability, and mobilize sustainable resources for the health sector.