KanSLAM Pushes for Stronger Maternal and Child Health Funding at Kano Assembly’s 2026 Budget Hearing
By Pulse Time Nigeria
The Kano State-led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), has urged the Kano State House of Assembly to strengthen funding and oversight for maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in the 2026 budget, citing the daily struggles of families who rely on public health facilities for survival.
Speaking during the 2026 budget public hearing at the Assembly complex, KanSLAM Co- Chair Pharmacist Maimuna Muhammad said the submission was driven by the realities faced by women , who travels several kilometres to access antenatal care, only to be told that essential services are unavailable due to funding gaps.
KanSLAM commended the House of Assembly for maintaining an open and transparent budget process, noting that Kano remains one of the few states that consistently conducts public hearings to allow citizens and groups to contribute to budget planning.
The group also praised the state government for sustaining the Abuja Declaration commitment of allocating 15 per cent of the total budget to the health sector, describing it as a positive step toward improving health outcomes in the state.
In particular, KanSLAM acknowledged the ₦7.52 billion earmarked in the 2026 budget for MNCH programmes, routine immunisation, hospital and primary healthcare centre (PHC) infrastructure, and financing mechanisms for maternal and child care, saying these allocations could change lives if fully implemented.
“Sometimes we have the skills, but without drugs, equipment, or enough staff, mothers and children still suffer,” she said.
Based on these challenges, KanSLAM called on the House to use its oversight powers to ensure timely release and judicious use of health funds, so that services become truly accessible and affordable for ordinary Kano residents.
The coalition further urged lawmakers to increase allocations for MNCH programmes and immunisation, warning that underfunding these areas could reverse gains already made in reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.
To strengthen accountability, KanSLAM proposed the creation of a dedicated budget line to support quarterly oversight and facility monitoring visits by House committees across all 44 local government areas of the state.
The group also appealed for at least 15 per cent of the health budget to be prioritised for the State Primary Health Care Management Board (SPHCMB) to improve overall PHC financing, alongside provisions for recruiting additional health workers across all cadres to allow multi-shift operations in facilities.
According to KanSLAM, sustained legislative oversight and full implementation of the MNCH budget lines will not only improve statistics but will also restore hope to families who depend on public healthcare.
As the budget process continues, KanSLAM expressed optimism that the House of Assembly will act on these recommendations, stressing that investing in mothers and children today is key to securing a healthier and more productive Kano State tomorrow.