By Rayyanu Bala

Just last month, Dr. Usman Iskilu Salah celebrated his one year in office amid pomp and pageantry, with accolades pouring in from both stakeholders in the health sector and ordinary citizens. They commended the remarkable progress recorded in the primary health sector under Dr. Usman Iskilu Salah’s leadership.

However, for the sake of hindsight, it is important to take another look at the key achievements and initiatives that earned Dr. Usman Iskilu Salah such widespread recognition and praise.

In just 12 months of purposeful leadership, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh has redefined what visionary stewardship can achieve in the realm of primary healthcare. As the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, his tenure has been marked by strategic reforms, strengthened accountability, and a people-centered approach that has revived confidence in public health institutions.

Under his guidance, the agency has not only reawakened dormant systems but also built new pathways for sustainable progress. One of the most commendable achievements is the revitalization of 58 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the state, many of which are now fully operational and delivering essential health services to underserved communities. This move directly addresses one of the biggest challenges in the healthcare system: access to quality care at the grassroots level.

Equally transformative is the strengthened supervision of health facilities. By instituting robust monitoring mechanisms, Dr. Saleh has ensured that health workers and facilities adhere to higher standards of care and accountability. This emphasis on supervision has not only improved service delivery but has also restored public trust in the healthcare system.

A key highlight of his leadership is the revival of the State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Health Care, which had been inactive for years. Its reinstatement has brought together stakeholders to drive immunization coverage and health interventions, contributing to the state’s success in exceeding national immunization benchmarks.

Innovation has also been a defining hallmark of Dr. Saleh’s tenure. The introduction of the PHC Leadership Challenge Award stands out as a bold initiative that motivates local governments to compete in delivering excellence. By rewarding high-performing LGAs with financial and material incentives, he has instilled a spirit of healthy competition and accountability that is already yielding visible results across the state.

Dr. Saleh’s commitment to transparency and policy integration is evident in his push for quarterly presentations at State Executive Council meetings, a move that ensures that primary healthcare remains a top government priority. Furthermore, his persuasion of the state governor to embark on quarterly supervisory visits to health facilities underscores his strategic engagement with leadership for continuous oversight and improvement.

The recruitment of over 600 healthcare professionals represents another milestone, tackling long-standing staffing shortages and strengthening the workforce needed for effective PHC service delivery. Complementing this, the distribution of essential drugs and medical equipment to remote areas has improved access to vital services and reduced health inequalities.

Beyond infrastructure and logistics, Dr. Saleh has placed strong emphasis on capacity building and staff welfare, ensuring that healthcare workers are well-trained, motivated, and supported. His humane approach, offering staff assistance during challenging times and festive seasons, has cultivated loyalty and morale within the health sector workforce.

Equally significant is his commitment to community participation and stakeholder engagement. By building strong relationships with traditional rulers, faith-based institutions, media, and other partners, Dr. Saleh has deepened community ownership of health programs, a crucial ingredient for sustainability.

In just one year, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh has demonstrated that effective leadership in public health is not about grand promises, but about consistent, data-driven, and people-centered actions. His achievements at the Primary Healthcare Development Agency reflect a model of governance that blends vision with pragmatism.

As the state continues its journey toward universal health coverage, Dr. Saleh’s first year sets a remarkable precedent. It shows that with purposeful leadership, collaboration, and accountability, even the most challenging health systems can be transformed into engines of hope and wellness for all.