Nigeria, Nov. 25 -- Sixteen-year-old Rabi Saleh has never set foot inside a hospital. Born with multiple disabilities and unable to walk or speak, her mother, Binta, relies on traditional herbs to manage her condition. The family lives in Farin Masallaci, a village under Karari ward in the Bichi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State.

"We can't afford the city hospital. I wish my daughter could get health access here so she can get better and be like every other girl," said Mrs Saleh.

For hundreds of people like Rabi, healthcare is a dream deferred by distance, poverty and inaccessibility of facilities.

The story is the same for Taraba Rabiu, 28, who resides in Sabaru, a resettlement under Dutsen Karya

village in Bichi LGA. Mrs Rab...