Sanhdef

12/10/2026

Under the Gates Foundation funded Kano State Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project, SANHDEF and Kano State health leadership are in Rwanda for a 5-day knowledge exchange and study tour focused on strengthening health sector planning, financing, accountability, and performance management.

The delegation includes representatives from the State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Health Care Management Board, the State Contributory Health Care Management Agency, the Kano State Health Trust Fund, and the SANHDEF Team.

This engagement is important because Kano State is advancing key health sector reforms and is incorporating practical, evidence-based lessons to strengthen planning, resource allocation, implementation, and service delivery.
The expected outputs will include a realistic health planning checklist, practical budget alignment tools, lessons on health financing and accountability, and the identification of innovative approaches that can be incorporated into priority reforms being piloted in Kano State.
We appreciate the Gates Foundation for its continued investment in strengthening health systems and improving primary health care outcomes in Kano State.

Follow the journey as we share key lessons, reflections, and opportunities for adaptation from Kigali.

KanoState HealthReform PrimaryHealthCare

11/10/2026

11/10/2026

Every girl deserves the opportunity to thrive, the right to quality healthcare, access to education and the freedom to realise her full potential.

We recognise that investing in girls means prioritising their health and well-being, protecting their rights and creating safe environments where they can grow with confidence.

Empowering girls is a shared responsibility. Together, we can build a future where every girl is valued, every voice is heard and every opportunity is within reach.

When we invest in girls, we invest in healthier families, stronger communities and a brighter future for all.

Happy International Day of the Girl Child!

10/10/2026

Every experience matters. Every voice deserves to be heard.

This World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm the importance of listening, understanding and creating a supportive environment where mental health is treated with the care and attention it deserves.

Behind every mental health journey is a person whose experiences, challenges, and perspectives deserve to be acknowledged. By listening without judgement and responding with compassion, we can help build a healthcare system that places people at the centre of their care.

This World Mental Health Day, let us listen with empathy, act with purpose and create real change because every voice matters.

01/10/2026

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and indomitable spirit of our great nation. As we honour our journey to independence, we are reminded that a healthier nation is the foundation of a stronger, more prosperous future.

At Sanhdef, we believe that the health of a nation is measured not only by its economic progress but also by the well-being of its people. We remain committed to promoting healthier communities, advancing quality healthcare, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

As we celebrate today, may hope be renewed, unity be strengthened, and our collective vision for a healthier Nigeria become a reality.

💚🤍💚 Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! May God bless our nation and grant us many more years of peace, progress, and good health.

*Healthy People. Stronger Nation. Brighter Future.*

GodBlessNigeria October1st

30/09/2026

Strong health systems begin with strong planning, and strong planning begins with collaboration. 

As part of the Gates Foundation funded AOP Support Project, SANHDEF engaged with the leadership of the Lagos State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), reinforcing our commitment to supporting a more inclusive, coordinated, and evidence-driven2027 planning process. 

During the engagements, the SANHDEF team met with Dr. Jumoke Oyenuga, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, SMOH, and the state planning team. The team also engaged Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary, LSPHCB, and Dr. Balogun-Alo, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, LSPHCB, to strengthen collaboration around local government AOP development and implementation. 
These engagements provided an opportunity to align expectations, clarify areas of support, and strengthen coordination toward the development of realistic, evidence-informed, and implementable AOPs at state and local government levels. 

Through this process, SANHDEF is supporting government-led planning efforts that connect priorities, resources, and action to improved primary health care delivery for communities across Lagos State. 

HealthSystemsStrengthening SANHDEF

24/09/2026

Promoting Safer Motherhood, HIV Prevention and Healthy Families

The SANHDEF PMTCT team under the ACE3 Project held a Baby Shower engagement at the Maternal and Child Health Clinic in Koko LGA, Kebbi State, bringing together 60 pregnant and breastfeeding women for an interactive session on maternal and child health.

The engagement focused on practical health and hygiene practices, HIV prevention, the importance of early testing, and adherence to treatment for women who test positive. Participants were also introduced to PrEP as an effective HIV prevention option for those who test negative.

Following the sensitization and pre-test counselling, 47 women who tested HIV-negative accepted and were promptly initiated on PrEP.
To further encourage ANC and postnatal care attendance, participants received ANC care packs containing essential items from the minimum package of care. From information to testing, prevention and linkage to treatment, the engagement provided an opportunity to bring essential services closer to women and support healthier pregnancies and families.

ANC PostnatalCare HIVTesting KebbiState SANHDEF CommunityHealth HealthyMothersHealthyFamilie

14/09/2026

SANHDEF, under the Gates Foundation funded Kano Health Systems Strengthening Project, conducted a 2-day study tour to Gombe State Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth), Gombe State, in collaboration with Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA.)

The visit provided an opportunity for the Kano State delegation to learn from Gombe’s experience in vulnerable enrolment, digital registration, verification and healthcare programme management. Participants visited Town Maternity Clinic to observe facility level enrolment systems and coordination across service entry points, explored the dashboard at GoHealth’s Call and Contact Center, and toured GoHealth’s offices and departments to understand their roles and responsibilities.

Activities like this are important because they create opportunities for knowledge sharing, practical learning and identifying approaches that can strengthen healthcare systems. For Kano, the visit supports ongoing efforts to improve healthcare coverage and strengthen the management of contributory healthcare programmes.

HealthSystemsStrengthening

11/09/2026

Planning that works at the last mile starts with people who are equipped to turn priorities into action. 
Through the AOP Support Project, SANHDEF provided technical assistance to the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) for a three day cascade training designed to strengthen the capacity of facility level and local government area health personnel in Annual Operational Plan (AOP) development. 

Participants strengthened their skills in key planning components, including situation analysis, evidence-based priority setting, budgeting, and the development of realistic, costed, and implementation focused AOPs reflecting local health needs and service delivery priorities. 
By building planning capacity closer to the communities served, the training is helping LGAs and facilities move from broad priorities to practical plans that can guide resource use, improve coordination, and support stronger primary health care delivery. 

For SANHDEF, this work reflects a continued commitment to providing technical support that helps make health planning more practical, inclusive, and results-focused for the benefit of communities across Lagos State. 

EvidenceBasedPlanning SANHDEF

09/09/2026

SANHDEF , under the Gates Foundation funded Kano State Health Systems Strengthening Project, supported a two day capacity strengthening and technical session on the development of the 2027 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for LGA and facility levels, held from In Kaduna, Kaduna State.

This session provided LGA teams with the opportunity to analyse their health system realities through Local Government Area Situation Analysis (SITAN) and translate identified priorities into practical, measurable and costed activities for the 2027 AOP.

Participants worked through SWOT and 5 Whys analysis, developed and reviewed LGA-level SITAN documents, and received hands on orientation on the Web Based AOP tool to strengthen planning, costing, implementation and monitoring.

A key outcome of the session was the development of a 2027 Priority Areas framework across Leadership & Governance, Data Governance, Health Facility Functionality & Quality of Care, Service Delivery, ACSM, and HRH.

The work continues beyond the workshop, with the next steps focused on finalizing the SITAN documents for all 44 LGAs, translating the priority areas into costed SMART activities within the 2027 AOPs, and ensuring the respective LGA Chairmen sign their commitment cards.
Through strengthened planning and evidence informed decision making, the aim is to support more responsive and actionable health plans that reflect the priorities of communities across Kano State.