Kaduna State is set to enhance its Primary Healthcare (PHC) system by reinforcing the implementation of its Task-Shifting and Task-Sharing (TSTS) policy.
It is a strategy designed to address workforce shortages and improve service delivery at grassroots levels.
Dr. Aisha Abubakar-Sadiq, Permanent Secretary of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting on the TSTS policy implementation.
She reiterated the state’s commitment to optimizing its human resources for health (HRH) before initiating new recruitments.
She highlighted that before health sector can be cleared for recruitment, its focus is to enhance the capacity of our existing workforce while sharing responsibilities strategically to boost efficiency in healthcare delivery.
The meeting, supported by a new investment from the Gates Foundation to Pathfinder International and its consortium partner, Impact Catalyst, aimed to gather expert input and ensure the policy aligns with Kaduna’s healthcare priorities.
It also sought to strengthen collaboration between government agencies, implementing partners, and professional associations.
Read Aslo: FG commission 20-bed PHC in Lagos, Plans for expansion
Dr. Jonathan Gajere, Director of Medical Services, highlighted that Kaduna State, like other states in Nigeria, has recognized the pressing need to expand healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas.
One of the major focuses has been empowering Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) to provide contraceptive implants and conducting research to evaluate TSTS feasibility at the community level.
Ensuring quality service delivery particularly in rural area, Gajere said, “The strategies involved redistributing tasks among different healthcare workers to maximise efficiency and improve access to quality healthcare,”
He further noted that Kaduna had domesticated the national TSTS policy in 2017 to optimize the existing workforce and improve efficiency in healthcare services.
The policy framework addresses HRH needs by allowing trained personnel to handle expanded responsibilities under supervision, says VON report.
Dr. Bello Yusuf-Jamo, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, commended Pathfinder International for its partnership and reiterated the state’s commitment to fostering continued collaboration to ensure the initiative’s success.
