By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna Kaduna State has set a national precedent by becoming the first state in Nigeria to domesticate ...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Kaduna State has set a national precedent by becoming the first state in Nigeria to domesticate the National Ward Development Committee (WDC) Guideline, following the successful conclusion of a three-day stakeholders’ co-creation workshop focused on enhancing community participation and accountability in Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.
The workshop, convened by the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB) in collaboration with the EngenderHealth-led consortium and other key partners, culminated in the validation and adoption of a draft guideline tailored specifically to Kaduna State. The document was designed to reflect the state’s unique healthcare landscape and address its distinct operational realities.
At the closing session, Dr. Joseph Wuya, representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), described the initiative as innovative and groundbreaking. He lauded the Kaduna State Government for taking the lead in adapting the national framework to align with its geography, population dynamics, and specific implementation challenges.
“This exercise underscores Kaduna State’s commitment to strengthening community participation in healthcare governance and improving the functionality of Ward Development Committees,” Dr. Wuya stated.
“I commend the Kaduna State Government for supporting this initiative. Kaduna is the first state in the country to domesticate the National WDC Guideline to fit its context, and I believe the document produced here will serve as a reference point for other states.”
Dr. Wuya also highlighted the inclusive approach adopted during the review process, noting that government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, community representatives, and technical experts collaborated to co-create the document.
He gave special recognition to the lead consultant, Professor Clara Ejembi, for her leadership and technical input throughout the three-day exercise.
The NPHCDA official further expressed satisfaction with the depth of the review undertaken by participants, particularly their identification of gaps and practical challenges within the national guideline.
He noted that participants raised concerns over the limited functionality of Village Development Committees (VDCs) in many communities and proposed measures to ensure fair and equitable representation of all communities within the Ward Development Committee structure.
While describing the development of the guideline as a significant milestone, Dr. Wuya stressed that its impact would depend on effective dissemination, implementation, and operationalization across the state.
He reaffirmed NPHCDA’s commitment to supporting Kaduna State in its efforts to improve health outcomes, reduce morbidity and mortality, and deepen community engagement in healthcare delivery.
Earlier in the workshop, participants reviewed and validated recommendations from five technical working groups tasked with examining and adapting the 18 chapters of the National WDC Guideline.
The process centered on strengthening governance structures, accountability mechanisms, community representation, sustainability frameworks, operational procedures, and stakeholder coordination within Kaduna State’s Primary Health Care system.
Also addressing participants, the Chairman of the Kaduna State WDC Alliance, Alhaji Balarabe Idris Jaji, described the successful completion of the workshop and the domestication of the guideline as a major milestone for the state.
He noted that Kaduna’s emergence as the first state to domesticate the National WDC Guideline positions it as a model for other states seeking to reinforce community participation and accountability in healthcare governance.
Jaji acknowledged the contributions of the Kaduna State Government, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, the EngenderHealth-led consortium, KADMAM, Professor Clara Ejembi, and other development partners for their support and dedication throughout the process.
He added that the collaborative effort reflected the shared resolve of stakeholders to strengthen community structures and improve Primary Health Care service delivery across Kaduna State.
Participants expressed confidence that the domesticated guideline would provide a practical framework for enhancing community ownership of healthcare programmes, improving accountability, and strengthening the delivery of Primary Health Care services at the grassroots level.
The workshop ended with a renewed pledge by stakeholders to support the dissemination and implementation of the guideline, ensuring that its objectives translate into measurable improvements in health outcomes across Kaduna State.
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