The Jigawa government has begun implementing the federal government’s Sector Wide Approach initiative to unify health budget allocations from federal to local government levels.

Implementation began with a four-day capacity-building workshop for key stakeholders within the state’s health sector.

Speaking at the event’s opening in Dutse on Tuesday, the health ministry’s permanent secretary, Kabiru Ibrahim, described the initiative as timely and essential.

He stated that SWAp would promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public healthcare funding and spending across all tiers of government.

Mr Ibrahim added that the programme would help monitor the activities of donor partners while aligning them with national and state health policies.

“We are creating a website that consolidates all public health efforts under one plan, one mechanism, and one evaluation and funding system,” he explained.

Gebiral Peter, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, stated that SWAp would unify all healthcare projects and policies to prevent duplication and policy conflicts.

He stated that the website would provide public access to real-time data on health facility activities and expenditures across Nigeria. He added that the initiative would strengthen coordination efforts and deliver more effective healthcare solutions nationwide.

Atiku Hafizu, Jigawa’s SWAp coordinating officer and special adviser to Governor Umar Namadi, said 70 stakeholders were attending the training.

He stated that the workshop would provide participants with the required knowledge and clarify their roles in achieving the programme’s goals.

(NAN)