Stakeholders gather in Kaduna to tailor Ward Development Committee framework for stronger community participation, accountability, and improved primary healthcare delivery

The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB), in collaboration with ENGENDERHEALTH Consortium and other development partners, has announced plans to hold a three-day co-creation meeting aimed at reviewing and adapting the National Guideline on Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to suit the Kaduna State context.

The strategic meeting, scheduled to hold from Tuesday, June 9 to Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Bafra International Hotels, No. 33 Yakubu Avenue, off Alkali Road, Kaduna, is expected to bring together key stakeholders in the health sector, civil society organisations, development partners, accountability groups, and community representatives.

According to the organisers, the review and adaptation exercise is designed to strengthen community participation, accountability, and Primary Health Care (PHC) service delivery across Kaduna State through the development of a context-specific framework that aligns with national priorities and standards.

The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board noted that Ward Development Committees remain critical structures for promoting community ownership of healthcare programmes, enhancing citizen engagement, and improving the responsiveness of health systems at ward, local government, and state levels.

Participants at the meeting are expected to critically examine the existing national guideline and provide recommendations that reflect the realities and health governance needs of Kaduna State. The process is also expected to support sustainable health reforms and improved health outcomes for communities across the state.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM) and the Kaduna Health Advocacy and Media Alliance (KADHAMA) described the engagement convened by the KSPHCB with the support of ENGENDERHEALTH, ISMPH, CCSI and other partners as timely and strategic in realigning the role of Ward Development Committees toward effective community ownership and participation in the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kaduna State.

The groups further noted that strengthening WDC structures would deepen grassroots accountability, improve citizens’ trust in public health institutions, and enhance community-driven monitoring of healthcare services, especially at the primary healthcare level.

The organisers further stressed that the participation of stakeholders in health governance, accountability, and reform efforts would enrich discussions and contribute significantly to the emergence of a more effective and inclusive operational guideline for Ward Development Committees in Kaduna State.