UNICEF, partners strengthen Adamawa health leadership

By Doris Obinna

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Development Governance International (DGI) Consult, has commenced implementation of a Capacity Strengthening Plan aimed at improving leadership, governance and management of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) programmes in Adamawa State.

The initiative began with a three-day capacity-building workshop in Yola under the Enhancing Leadership, Governance and Management Capacities (ELGMC) Project, a component of the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) Project jointly implemented by UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Funded by the European Union, the four-year SARAH Project is being implemented in Adamawa, Kwara and Sokoto states to strengthen health systems and improve access to quality RMNCAH+N and gender-based violence (GBV) services.

The workshop brought together senior government officials, programme managers, local government representatives, heads of health institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to address leadership, governance and management gaps identified during a baseline assessment conducted earlier this year across the three states.

UNICEF Health Systems Specialist, Dr. Emmanuel Emedo, described effective leadership as a critical driver of stronger health systems and better service delivery. “It is important that health professionals understand how to lead because when we lead better, we deliver better results. Technical expertise alone is not enough.

“As health professionals assume greater leadership responsibilities, they must also develop the competencies required to strengthen institutions, manage resources effectively and improve health outcomes,” he said.

Emedo added that the initiative comes at a time when governments are expected to assume greater ownership of health programmes amid changing global development financing, while commending Adamawa State for the progress already made in strengthening its health system.

Chief Executive Officer, DGI Consult, Dr. Gafar Alawode, said the project was designed to develop competent leaders capable of addressing persistent challenges affecting RMNCAH+N programmes, including weak coordination, financing and management systems.

According to him, findings from the baseline assessment identified institutional gaps while also highlighting existing strengths that can be built upon to improve programme performance.

“This project is not just about conducting a training. It is about developing competent leaders and managers who can solve critical problems in the health sector, strengthen systems, optimise available resources and ultimately improve access to quality healthcare,” Alawode said.

He expressed confidence that with sustained commitment from government and development partners, Adamawa could become a national model for health systems strengthening and primary healthcare improvement.

Participants received training in strategic planning, financial management, human resource management, coordination and the use of data for decision-making. They also developed a draft RMNCAH+N vision for Adamawa State and explored practical planning and accountability tools, including a results framework for monitoring programme performance.

The workshop also introduced an RMNCAH+N Leadership Fellowship and Community of Practice to provide ongoing mentoring and technical support, while participants agreed on priorities for facility-level cascade training across selected local government areas and health facilities.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Zirra Bubanani, commended UNICEF and its partners for supporting institutional capacity development and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained while mentoring colleagues across the state’s health sector.

At the end of the workshop, stakeholders agreed on priority actions to sustain implementation of the Capacity Strengthening Plan, including facility-level training, development of an RMNCAH+N coordination framework, public expenditure review and financial modelling, creation of a performance dashboard, review of the state’s Annual Operational Plan and operationalisation of the Leadership Fellowship and Community of Practice.