To fast-track the implementation of the Kano State Free Maternal and Child Healthcare (FMNCH) Law (2023), the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) convened a two-day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting in Kano. In his welcome remarks, CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, emphasized the collective duty to ensure access to quality healthcare for mothers and children. He called for concrete, actionable strategies and underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions, healthcare providers, the media, and civil society.

Despite the law’s enactment, implementation gaps persist. Speaking on behalf of Prof. A.B. Ahmed of Bayero University, CHRICED’s Senior Programs Officer, Mr. Omoniyi Adewoye, highlighted the law’s key provisions such as free prenatal, postnatal, and emergency care, while stressing that effective execution is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.

Ajumawa L.A. from the Ministry of Planning and Budget advocated for robust enforcement mechanisms and accountability frameworks, including sanctions against those who obstruct maternal healthcare access. Dr. Bashir I. Muhammad, representing HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, emphasized the need for strong accountability structures from the state to the ward level.

With participation from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), government agencies, and civil society groups, the meeting reinforced the urgency of a well-defined roadmap to ensure that the FMNCH Law delivers tangible benefits.

Facilitated by Ms. Loveth Anthony-Iyortyer, the sessions offered a platform for dialogue and action. As CHRICED continues to promote accountability and social justice, the initiative marks a vital step in ensuring healthcare becomes a guaranteed right, not a privilege, for all women and children in Kano State.