Kaduna Deputy Governor Urges Gates Foundation To Prioritise Mental Health

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, has called on the Gates Foundation to include mental health among its priority intervention areas as it expands its support for healthcare delivery in the state.

Balarabe made the appeal while receiving a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by Deputy Director, Health Systems Strengthening, Nkata Chuku, ahead of the Foundation’s planned August visit to Kaduna and Kano states.

The meeting reviewed ongoing partnerships between the Kaduna State Government and the Foundation, as well as the Foundation’s renewed strategy aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality, combating infectious diseases, and addressing poverty.

The delegation also unveiled new initiatives, including Execution Grants and Service Delivery and Intelligence Units (SDIUs), designed to strengthen health systems, improve coordination among stakeholders, and promote data-driven decision-making in Kaduna State.

Welcoming the reforms, the deputy governor said recent findings in the state had highlighted growing mental health concerns, stressing that the issue deserved greater attention within the Foundation’s intervention priorities.

She also commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for his commitment to improving healthcare delivery, expanding social protection programmes, and building strategic partnerships that continue to attract development support aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

The Gates Foundation delegation is expected to visit Kaduna and Kano in August as part of efforts to deepen collaboration with state governments on strengthening healthcare systems and advancing development programmes.