SCI, CSOs Presents Templates For developing CHN Charter In Kaduna
By: Femi Mustapha
Save the Children International (SCI) in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna on Monday presented a template for developing a community Health Needs (CHN) Charter in the state
Mr Yusuf Goje of Coalition of Association for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment & Development (CALPED) in his presentation said that it is time to push for the development of (CHN) charter to ensure that people decides what health care facilities or services they are in need of and subsequently present same to government.
Goje explained that Change Charter will provide community engagement in the budget processes at the ward, Local Government Areas and the State with basic information on the principles of community development and capacity building to support the planning, budgeting and implementation of activities and project initiated by the communities.

Goje further explained that the charter if implemented will ensure that the State has a participatory health budget that involves government, citizens, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and CSOs in deciding how and where resources should be spent,
“The process creates opportunities for engaging, educating, and empowering citizens which foster a more vibrant civil society, promote transparency, which has the potential to reduce government inefficiencies”. he said
The Advocacy and Communication Coordinator, Kaduna office of SCI, Farouk Abdulkadir Mayana said “the SCI project is working on health and focusing on other 3 key areas, which are; the citizen engagement which is accountability, policy, environment and strengthening health financing”.
Mayana said that the CHN charter is one of the innovations that will include citizens in planning and budget processes of government.
He stressed that Kaduna State is already implementing CDC, which will align with the 15 health priority areas.
“We have developed a guide that will continue to enrich the institutional knowledge of this person to do what is needed of them”.
Receiving the charter, the Acting Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, SPHCB Dr. Neyu Iliyasu said the Board will study the documents and see how to develop the CHN charter.
He commended the SCI and the other CSOs for their inputs in the development of the CHN charter.