By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has launched its 2026 Health Sector Annual Operational Plan, a 169.3 billion naira strategic roadmap designed to overhaul healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes across the state.

Speaking at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau, Health Commissioner Dr. Nafisa Muhammad Maradun described the plan as a “covenant with the people” aimed at building a more resilient health system.

The ambitious plan carries a total price tag of 169.3 billion naira, with the Zamfara State Government committing 76.4 billion naira to cover 48.4 percent of the total AoP budget.

Dr. Maradun stated that the remaining 51.6 percent, totaling 92.9 billion naira, is expected to be sourced from development partners and private sector stakeholders.

She emphasized that this financing model reflects a shared responsibility between the government and its partners.

The 2026 plan is anchored on the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint and includes 226 swap-specific interventions mapped , out of the 262 priority interventions. These initiatives focus on several key areas, including governance, health service quality, health financing, data digitalization, health security, and human capital development.

These interventions are structured across four strategic pillars, 3 enablers and 18 strategic priorities to ensure a comprehensive approach to state-wide medical care.

The 2026 roadmap includes 762 programmed activities, many of which carry over from 2025 to ensure continuity and sustained impact. Maradun urged all government agencies, health facility managers, and development partners to adopt the plan as the single reference document for all health operations and reporting in the coming year.
To ensure the funds are used effectively, the ministry has embedded a robust monitoring and evaluation framework within the plan to track progress, identify challenges, and maintain accountability.

The Commissioner expressed confidence that the effective implementation of the plan will significantly improve the health and well-being of the people of Zamfara, praising the technical teams and the SWAp Coordination Office for their dedication to drafting the document.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malam Bashir Sirajo Gusau, NIPSS Ambassador of Integrity and Leadership. emphasized that the plan is the product of extensive analysis and consultation, serving as a formal handover of the state’s collective roadmap.

He noted that the gathering of health leaders and agencies underscored a spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility, describing the various technical teams as a “united force” dedicated to translating health policy into community action.

In attendance, were Executive Secretary Hospital Services Management Board Mustapha Marafa, Executive Secretary primary Healthcare Board Dr Husaini Yakubu Anka, Executive Secretary DMA, Pharmacist Sani Bello, Executive Secretary Zanchema Dr Iliya Sale Ahmad, SWAp Desk Officer Dr Abdullahi Wanzamai and all Directors of the Ministry’s

Other people include representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, SOLINA, ACASOS, CDC AFENET, MSF and Other Partners.