By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has launched a four-day training program for 53 Programme Officers and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers from local government areas. The training aims to boost health sector planning and coordination across the state’s local government areas in preparation for the 2026 Annual Operational Plan.
This initiative is part of the Nigeria Healthcare Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), a management framework designed to streamline coordination between federal, state, and local governments. The program focuses on developing a SMART and realistic Annual Operational Plan tailored to local health needs, ultimately improving healthcare delivery.
According to Ibrahim Muhammad, Acting SWAp Desk Officer in Bauchi, the training follows a national-level Training of Trainers attended by three selected Programme Officers from the state. Muhammad reaffirmed Bauchi’s commitment to aligning with national health priorities, emphasizing the state’s dedication to enhancing healthcare outcomes.
The SWAp initiative seeks to address pressing healthcare challenges through a comprehensive strategy encompassing governance, resource optimization, financing coordination, and community empowerment. This approach has been recognized as a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-constrained settings.¹
Dr. Ashiru Abubakar, Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health on SWAp, highlighted that realistic budgeting and timely fund releases are crucial for states to access federal health interventions, ultimately improving health outcomes in rural areas.
Our correspondent reports that the capacity-building for health program officers, Bauchi State is taking proactive steps towards achieving improved health outcomes and strengthening its healthcare system.