Insights from the PHC MoU Review Meeting

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s health sector, the End Term Technical Review Meeting for the PHC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was held, marking an important milestone in the collaborative efforts between the Kaduna State Government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation. The primary goal of this partnership is to support Routine Immunization and the revitalization of Kaduna State’s Primary Health Care system. This meeting served as an opportunity to assess progress and strategize the next steps in ensuring that every resident of Kaduna, particularly those in underserved and rural areas, receives high-quality health services. The Natview Foundation for Technology Innovation (NFTI) is a crucial partner in some of these initiatives, as we support the government to utilizes data-driven insights to facilitate the implementation of sustainable and scalable healthcare solutions. In line with the government’s vision for improving healthcare outcomes, NFTI is focused on using data to drive service delivery improvements, with an emphasis on ensuring access to essential health services for underserved populations. NFTI’s partnership with the Gates Foundation, along with its data-driven approach to monitoring and improving health systems, positions it as a key player in the broader strategy to bolster Kaduna’s healthcare infrastructure.

The Kaduna State Government has been making giant strides in revitalizing its primary healthcare (PHC) infrastructure, with particular emphasis on enhancing the quality of service delivery, increasing the capacity of its healthcare workforce, and improving supply chain management systems. This effort was exemplified during the PHC MOU Endline Technical Review Meeting, where Kaduna’s impressive achievement of surpassing the national target in the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) 6th Scorecard was highlighted. The state scored a remarkable 98%, showcasing the effectiveness of its current strategies. However, the meeting also brought attention to the need for more equitable distribution of this success across all Local Government Areas (LGAs), ensuring that underserved and remote communities are not left behind. As a data-driven organization committed to leveraging technology for social good, NFTI is working hand-in-hand with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that health remains a priority across all components of the healthcare system. The foundation’s expertise in data collection, analysis, and utilization has been instrumental in informing decisions and crafting targeted interventions that address the specific needs of various communities within Kaduna State.

Part of the foundation’s core focus is ensuring that essential health services reach underserved populations in a timely and efficient manner. Providing actionable insights derived from real-time data helps the Kaduna State Government and other health stakeholders optimize resource allocation and improve service delivery outcomes. Whether it’s in urban centers or rural outposts, this data-driven approach ensures that no one is left behind in the effort to provide quality healthcare to all citizens.

Efficient service delivery is the foundation of any efficient healthcare system. It comprises making sure that all parts of the population can get critical medical care when they need it. In Kaduna State, the efforts to revitalize primary healthcare infrastructure have been seen as largely successful in some areas, as evidenced by the high score achieved on the NPHCDA’s 6th Scorecard. However, the PHC MOU Endline Technical Review Meeting highlighted that despite these advancements, more work needs to be done to ensure uniformity in service delivery across all LGAs.

This is where NFTI’s role becomes particularly crucial. The government can pinpoint places with poor performance and fill service delivery gaps with the help of the foundation’s data-driven insights about the performance of different health institutions. Key performance indicators (KPIs), including patient satisfaction, facility preparedness, and wait times, may be monitored by NFTI using data technologies and digital dashboards. Using these findings, we develop strategies to improve healthcare service quality and efficiency, particularly in underserved areas.

One of the significant challenges faced by many healthcare systems, including Kaduna’s, is the disparity in access to quality care between urban and rural populations. While urban centers tend to have better-equipped facilities and more healthcare workers, rural areas often struggle with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. NFTI’s data-driven approach helps to bridge this gap by providing real-time data that highlights where interventions are needed the most.

Human Resources for Health (HRH) is one of the critical pillars of a strong healthcare system. A well-trained, motivated, and adequately supported healthcare workforce is essential for the delivery of high-quality care. In Kaduna State, however, like in many parts of Nigeria, the shortage of healthcare workers presents a significant challenge to achieving universal health coverage. Many health facilities, particularly in rural areas, are understaffed, leading to longer wait times for patients and reduced quality of care. The State Primary Healthcare Board and the NFTI have been at the forefront of addressing this issue with their innovative data-driven HRH initiatives. Through the implementation of data-driven performance-based promotions and continuous training programs, NFTI is helping to build a more capable and resilient healthcare workforce. These initiatives not only improve healthcare workers’ skills but also their motivation and retention, which are critical for the healthcare system’s sustainability.

Supply chain management is equally critical, as it ensures that healthcare facilities are consistently stocked with the necessary medicines, vaccines, and equipment. The PHC MOU Endline Technical Review Meeting highlighted the challenges that still exist in this area, particularly in terms of supply chain disruptions that can lead to shortages of essential medical supplies. In this regard, NFTI’s role has been to work with the Kaduna State Health Supply Management Agency to build a system and a working dashboard that shows inventory management to reduce waste and ensure the timely delivery of health supplies.

Accurate, timely, and actionable data is the lifeblood of any successful healthcare system, and as the needs of communities are constantly evolving, data-driven decision-making has become a necessity for achieving better public health outcomes. This truth was reinforced as the PHC MOU Endline Technical Review Meeting drew to a close. As the state strides closer to its goal of universal health coverage, NFTI’s data-centric approach is lighting the way. In the end, the data will tell the story of progress, and NFTI will be at the heart of that narrative—empowering healthier lives, creating sustainable systems, and ultimately shaping a future where quality healthcare is within everyone’s reach.