From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa Maternal Accountability Forum (JiMAF), has called on the State Government to accelerate the implementation of the 2026 health sector budget to ensure that critical health programmes translate into improved services and better health outcomes for citizens.
In a statement signed by the Co-chair of the Forum Comrade Isah Mustapha said, with support from the Lafiya Program, JiMAF conducts quarterly health sector budget analyses to assess government investments, monitor budget implementation, identify implementation bottlenecks, and promote evidence-based dialogue aimed at improving health outcomes.
According to the statement, As part of the 2026 Second Quarter (Q2) Budget Performance Review, the Forum assessed overall health sector budget performance while undertaking detailed analyses of three priority programmes, including Family Planning, Nutrition, and Malaria Control—because of their strategic importance in reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality.
The Forum’s analysis shows modest progress in health sector budget implementation during the first half of 2026. Out of the approved health sector budget of approximately ₦80.15 billion, cumulative expenditure stood at ₦27.49 billion, representing 34.3 percent budget performance as of the end of June 2026. Personnel expenditure accounted for the largest share of spending, while capital and other recurrent expenditures remained significantly below expectations.
The statement maintained that, Out of 98 capital projects approved for implementation across the health sector, only 28 projects recorded any expenditure by the end of Q2, while the vast majority remained without financial implementation. This slow pace of project execution raises concerns about the timely delivery of essential health infrastructure and services.
Beyond the overall health sector performance, JiMAF’s review highlights significant implementation gaps in Family Planning, Nutrition, and Malaria programmes, despite their importance in improving maternal and child health outcomes.
“JiMAF notes with concern that despite an approved allocation of ₦500 million for Family Planning under the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHCDA), no expenditure was recorded during either Q1 or Q2, representing 0 percent budget implementation.
“This has contributed to prolonged contraceptive commodity stock-outs in many public health facilities despite increasing demand for services. While awareness and acceptance of family planning continue to improve, many women remain unable to access modern contraceptives, exposing them to unintended pregnancies and preventable maternal health risks. JiMAF therefore calls for the immediate release and utilisation of the approved funds to restore commodity availability and sustain gains in maternal and child health”, the statement said.
“The forum also reviewed the implementation of the State Nutrition Budget and found that, although ₦1.09 billion was appropriated for nutrition interventions in 2026 under the JPHCDA budget, cumulative expenditure by the end of Q2 stood at zero (0%). The slow pace of implementation threatens ongoing efforts to reduce childhood malnutrition, stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and maternal undernutrition across the state. Given the critical importance of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, JiMAF urges the accelerated release of budgets and the implementation of programmes to improve nutrition outcomes and safeguard the health and development of women and children”.
“The Forum further observed that malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children under five years and pregnant women in Jigawa State. Although the state has recorded encouraging progress, with malaria prevalence declining from 39.6 percent in 2013 to 24.7 percent in 2024, sustained investment is required to consolidate these gains. JiMAF therefore calls for increased financing and timely implementation of malaria prevention and control interventions, including procurement of essential commodities, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), effective case management, and strengthened community awareness programmes to further reduce the malaria burden”.
The Forum, calls on the Jigawa State Government to translate budgetary commitments into tangible health outcomes by ensuring timely release and efficient utilisation of approved funds.
The statement recommends that that Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning should ensure timely, predictable and transparent release of funds for all critical health programmes.
Other recommendations urged Ministry of Health and the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency should accelerate implementation of approved capital projects to improve service delivery.
Government should immediately release and utilise the approved Family Planning budget to eliminate contraceptive commodity stock-outs across public health facilities.
Government should accelerate implementation of the Nutrition Budget to scale up life-saving nutrition interventions for pregnant women, infants and young children.
Government should sustain and expand investments in malaria prevention and control programmes to consolidate recent gains and further reduce malaria prevalence across the state.
Quarterly budget release and expenditure reports should be published to strengthen transparency, accountability and citizen oversight.
Development partners and civil society organisations should continue independent budget tracking and expenditure monitoring to ensure public resources reach intended beneficiaries.
JiMAF reiterates that reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality requires more than budget allocations. Timely release of funds, efficient implementation, transparent expenditure reporting, and sustained investment in Family Planning, Nutrition, Malaria Control, and other essential health programmes are indispensable for delivering quality healthcare and improving the well-being of the people of Jigawa State.
The Forum remains committed to constructive engagement with government, development partners, healthcare providers, the media, and citizens to strengthen accountability, improve public financial management, and accelerate progress towards universal access to quality healthcare in Jigawa State.
