Funmi Ogundare
UNICEF and DGI Launch Health Capacity Building Initiative in Adamawa State
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Development Governance International (DGI) Consult, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing leadership, governance, and management capacities within health institutions in Adamawa State. This program is designed to improve the delivery of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
Workshop Marks the Kickoff of the ELGMC Project
The initiative kicked off with a recent three-day workshop held in Yola and is part of the Strengthening Leadership, Governance, and Management Capacity (ELGMC) project. This project is integrated within the broader Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) initiative, which is funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Comprehensive Health System Enhancement in Multiple States
Spanning four years, the SARAH project aims to fortify health systems and improve access to essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services while also addressing gender-based violence (GBV) issues in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto states.
Leadership as a Catalyst for Health System Improvement
During the opening ceremony, UNICEF Health Systems Expert Dr. Emmanuel Emed emphasized the pivotal role of effective leadership in enhancing health system performance. He highlighted that technical skills alone are insufficient for delivering quality healthcare. “Health professionals need to develop leadership skills to drive better results in their organizations,” he stated, pointing out that as healthcare workers assume more leadership roles, their capacity to manage resources effectively becomes crucial for improving health outcomes.
Progress Amidst Challenges in Global Health Financing
Dr. Emed remarked that the timing of this leadership initiative is particularly significant, given the evolving expectations for governments to assume greater responsibility for health programs amidst shifting global development financing. He praised the advancements made in strengthening Adamawa’s health system and expressed optimism that these new initiatives would help maintain progress.
Identifying and Addressing Leadership Gaps
The workshop follows a baseline assessment conducted earlier this year, which examined major health institutions in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto states. This assessment identified essential leadership, governance, and management gaps adversely affecting RMNCAH+N and GBV programs. The insights gleaned from this evaluation were utilized to create a targeted capacity-building plan.
Empowering Health Leaders Through Comprehensive Training
Workshop participants included government officials, program managers, local government representatives, and heads of health institutions, among other key stakeholders. Dr. Ghaffar Alawode, CEO of DGI Consult, noted that despite recent improvements in reproductive, maternal, and child health, challenges related to leadership, coordination, funding, and management persist. He stressed that this initiative is not merely a training program but a strategic intervention aimed at cultivating capable leaders who can optimize resource utilization and enhance healthcare access.
Practical Skills and Continuing Support for Participants
Throughout the session, attendees engaged in training covering strategic planning, financial management, human resource management, and data-driven decision-making. Participants collaboratively drafted a vision for RMNCAH+N in Adamawa State and explored tools for planning and accountability, including performance monitoring frameworks. The workshop also introduced the RMNCAH+N Leadership Fellowship and Community of Practice, which promises ongoing mentoring and support, fostering a culture of mutual learning among participants.
Commitments and Future Activities to Enhance Healthcare
Addressing attendees on behalf of the Adamawa State Health Commissioner, Zira Mathias Boubanani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation for UNICEF and its partners’ efforts in bolstering institutional capabilities. He encouraged participants to leverage the skills acquired to mentor their colleagues throughout the health sector. Stakeholders subsequently agreed to enact a series of follow-up activities, including facility-level training in select local governments and the development of an RMNCAH+N coordination framework to further bolster health services in the region.
