UNICEF Initiative to Improve Nigeria's Healthcare Leadership

UNICEF is spearheading an initiative to tackle leadership gaps in Nigeria's healthcare system, as revealed during a series of workshops held in Yola, Sokoto, and Ilorin. The initiative, titled "Enhancing Leadership and Governance Management Capacities" (ELGMC), aims to strengthen governance in primary healthcare agencies across Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto states.

The project seeks to enhance evidence-based policy-making and implement gender-responsive primary healthcare services, particularly in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, while addressing gender-based violence. Dr. Emmanuel Emedu, a UNICEF health specialist, emphasized the importance of effective leadership in managing health systems.

Prof. Kaletapwa Georg Farauta, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, highlighted the need for improved planning and monitoring in the health sector. The initiative will include focus group discussions and data analysis to develop a capacity assessment report, with the goal of establishing effective governance and management systems to transform health outcomes in Nigeria.