Katsina Steps Up Child Survival Investment in Proposed 2027 Budget

The State Executive Council approved a total proposed 2027 budget of ₦828.64 billion, with ₦53.64 billion, representing 8.41 per cent, allocated to the health sector.

Within the proposal, the ICSA Katsina State Team identified approximately ₦3.72 billion for priority child survival interventions.

Exceeding the ICSA financing benchmark

The proposed ₦3.72 billion is above the approximately ₦3.23 billion required to meet the ICSA benchmark of ₦1,500 per child under five, based on Katsina’s projected 2027 under-five population of 2,155,180 children.

The identified allocations cover interventions including routine immunisation and polio eradication, nutrition, malaria prevention and treatment, free medical care and other health services.

Among the proposed investments are an increase in nutrition funding from ₦500 million to ₦1.2 billion, an increase in funding for free medical care at the State Primary Healthcare Agency from ₦100 million to ₦160 million, and ₦106.53 million for routine immunisation and polio eradication.

Other identified provisions include ₦680 million for child survival interventions across the state’s 34 LGAs, ₦828.51 million for malaria interventions and ₦750 million for free medical care through the Drug and Medical Supplies Agency at General Hospitals.

From proposed allocation to services

The ICSA Katsina State Team welcomed the increased attention to child survival while emphasising that the impact of the proposed allocations will depend on what happens after the budget process.

According to ICSA Katsina State Technical Lead Dr. Ma’awuya Aliu, increased investment can contribute to stronger routine immunisation, better access to essential medicines and commodities, improved nutrition services and stronger malaria prevention and treatment.

However, allocations alone do not guarantee improved outcomes.

Timely release, effective utilisation, accountability and coordination across the state, LGAs, facilities and communities will determine whether the proposed resources ultimately translate into better services for children.

Following the investment

The next step is therefore to follow the proposed financing through the full budget and implementation cycle:

Proposal → Approval → Release → Utilisation → Service delivery → Results

Sustained domestic investment in child survival is critical. But the ultimate measure of progress will be whether those investments reach health facilities and communities and contribute to healthier children.

The allocation is an important step. The real test is what reaches the child.