Kaduna, 29 May 2016 - Traditional leaders in northern Nigeria have once more taken up the task to optimize resources at their disposal to fast-track the delivery of primary health care (PHC) services under-one-roof model as well as reinforce community trust and create demand for immunization through the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC (NTLC). The position of the Royal Fathers was articulated in the speech of Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, Chairman of NTLC and Emir of Bama, during the first quarter review meeting held in Kaduna on 24 May, 2016.

“We are determined to re-double support to the government in a holistic manner to move into the next phase of fixing primary health care in the north, which perennially records poor health indicators in the country” Alhaji El-Kanemi pledged on behalf of his counterparts from 19 northern states.

In the north, the number of children that die during childhood and mothers at childbirth has remained unacceptably high. Interventions for strengthening routine immunization and general population’s health seeking behaviour that have worked in other parts of the country have not worked as well in the northern region.

The traditional leaders thereafter proceeded to the Government House where they briefed the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Barnabas Bala Bantex, on the salient action points and resolutions for the full realization of agreed milestones and requested the assistance of government in advocating to the political class to support the cause.

As an entry point, the traditional leaders recommended that the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sir Abubakar Saad lll, initiate dialogue with the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum for the purpose of conveying the concerns of the committee. Individually, they undertook to meet with their respective State Governors and table their plans for increased community mobilization, sensitization and enlightenment of their subjects. Furthermore, the committee resolved to empower the lower rungs of the traditional hierarchy to be in the vanguard for repositioning health care delivery in their respective domains. They also agreed to utilize different strategies to motivate frontline health workers to provide services in the face of waning interests and recurring industrial actions due to poor remuneration.

The Deputy Governor responded to the presentation by the NTLC and stated that the level of commitment exhibited by the paramount rulers to forge a united front to fight a common problem gives hope that the northern region will no longer miss out on government’s laudable efforts to change the narrative regarding primary health care.

He noted that that while there may be imminent difficulties, the NTLC should not jettison its current posture which he noted will undoubtedly assist to decipher the hydra-headed problems that perennially held the region from achieving key healthcare indicators and for the overall development of the north.

Beyond the traditional leaders’ role, the Deputy Governor disclosed that the state government is finalizing a legislative framework that will criminalize any form of resistance to immunization for as he noted, “it is no longer a matter of choice for parents and caregivers to accept or not to accept immunization and other health care interventions”.

With over 2000 Emirs, Chiefs, district and ward heads, traditional rulers are highly respected in many communities, and wield considerable political and economic influence in the northern part of Nigeria.

NTLC activities are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, while WHO provides the required technical support. The next meeting of the NTLC is scheduled for 19 July, 2016 in Jos, Plateau State to review the level of execution of the adopted plan of action and document the outcomes of their interface with various stakeholders. The meeting will also focus on the progress made towards perfecting the paradigm shift.

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For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Fiona Braka; Tel: +234 703 170 5252; Email: brakaf [at] who.int  "> brakaf [at] who.int 
Dr Audu Idowu; Tel: +234 803 700 5376; Email: musaau@who.int [at] who.int "> musaau@who.int [at] who.int

Media contacts:

Ms Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int  "> warigonc [at] who.int 
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Below:

01. Emir of Bama delivering his speech at the meeting

02. L-R Secretary to State Government, Deputy Governor and Emir of Bama at the Government House in Kaduna 

03. NTLC members with government and WHO officials