By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Kano State Ministry of Health has concluded a four-day workshop with its agencies and development partners to finalize the state’s 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
The workshop, held at Pyramid Hotel in Kaduna between September 11 and 15, brought together key stakeholders to review and align health sector plans under the framework of the Health Sector Renewal Compact and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative, which emphasizes “one plan, one budget, one report, and a common conversation.”
The 2026 AOP is designed to address Kano’s health priorities and aligns with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB), the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), and the HOPE Project.
Notable participants included the Commissioner for Health, represented by the Director-General of the State Primary Health Care Management Board; the Deputy Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, represented by the Appropriation Committee Chairman; the Permanent Secretary of the ministry; heads of MDAs such as PHIMA, HMB, PHCMB, KSACA, KHETFUND, KSCHMA, DMCSA, and KNCDC; as well as representatives of civil society organizations and development partners including FCDO Lafiya, WHO, UNICEF, and SANDHDEF.
During the sessions, participants finalized intervention indicators, reviewed draft activities, identified overlaps, and ensured alignment across MDAs and partners. A major outcome was the harmonization of MDA-level AOPs into a consolidated state-level plan for 2026. A committee was also set up to track performance against Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
Key resolutions include sourcing additional funding to bridge identified gaps, assigning MDAs to specific DLIs for accountability, ensuring all activities align with situation analyses, adopting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) activities, and implementing only projects captured within the Health MoU and the AOP.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, expressed appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his support to the sector. He also commended the State House of Assembly, heads of MDAs, civil society groups, and development partners for their contributions to the harmonization process.