Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State says his administration is determined to reduce maternal and child mortality in the state.

Report says that Yusuf made the declaration while launching the second phase of the 2024 Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNCH) Week at Kumbotso in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

To this end, the spokesperson of Yusuf, Sanusi Bature, said the state government had reinstated routine immunisation services which were abandoned for 18 months.

“From the start of his tenure in 2023, Gov. Yusuf prioritised maternal and child health, expressing grave concern over the suspension of immunization programmes by the former government,” he said.

According to him, the governor  has ordered the immediate restoration of these essential services and guaranteed timely funding for all immunisation exercises at both the state and federal levels.

“As you all know, health is our second priority after education.

”Within this sector, we are focusing on maternal and child health to prevent the avoidable loss of lives among pregnant women and their children,” the spokesperson quoted the governor as saying.

He highlighted that the 2024 state’s budget included robust provisions for immunisation services, ensuring sustainability and accessibility for all.

“Gov. Yusuf’s intervention reflects his administration’s resolve to address pressing healthcare challenges and improve the lives of Kano’s most vulnerable residents,” Bature said.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, announced that Yusuf would Inaugurate a state-of-the-art clinic dedicated to providing free and comprehensive care for patients living with sickle cell disease.

The commissioner said the specialised care centre was located at the Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital.

Labaran  said the facility would offer a wide range of free services, including diagnosis, consultations, medication and surgical operations for sickle cell disease patients.

He reiterated Yusuf’s unwavering commitment to addressing the burden of sickle cell anaemia in line with his campaign promises and as outlined in his blueprint for healthcare reform.

The commissioner said the governor had signed into law a groundbreaking premarital health screening bill.

According to Labaran, it prohibits marriages between intending couples with similar genotypes in the state, thereby preventing the birth of children with sickle cell anaemia.

“With this initiative, Gov. Yusuf is not only tackling the root cause of the disease but also ensuring that those already living with it receive the care and support they need.

“This special care centre is a testament to his administration’s determination to provide relief and hope for the victims while fostering a healthier future for the people of Kano State,” he added.

( NAN)

No fewer than 2000 residents of Jiwa community in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Kaida Tsoho in Gwagwalada area council in the Federal Capital Territory, have benefited from free medical services.

The free medical outreach was provided by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in partnership with Al-Tabib Pharmaceutical Limited.

Speaking at the event, on Monday in Jiwa, Dr  Ruqayya Wamakko, Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Health Services and Environment Secretariat , FCTA, said  the outreach aimed at touching  the lives of  people in rural communities.

Wamakko said the medical services were brought closer to serve the less privileged especially women and children.

“As we all know, there is shortage of manpower particularly in the health sector, because people are leaving the country for greener pastures, retiring, also dying.

“While we are expecting employment to be done in this sector by the federal government, the FCT residents should take the advantage of this free services brought closer to their doors.

“Children, women, youth, including people with disabilities, elderly people, should come out in their numbers to access the free medical treatment,’’he said,

Wamakko said that health cases beyond the outreach would be referred to secondary facility for further treatment.

Also speaking, Dr. Udeh Sylvester, Deputy Director and State Coordinator, NPHCDA, North Central Zone, said the agency gave Al Tabib the platform to render the free health care services to the communities.

Sylvester said there were lots to gain from the outreach because the area councils and wards were in need of healthcare services.

He underscored the need for collaboration with independent organisations like Al Tabib, public owned NGOs and foundations to extend additional free medical services to communities

Dr Emeka Udezue, Senior Medical Consultant, Al Tabib Pharmaceutical Ltd., said the outreach, backed by the NPHCDA was designed to touch the lives of people by giving them good health treatment.

Udezue also stressed the need for the private sector to intervene in health delivery because  the government could not do it all alone.

“Our target is 2,000 people and we have a laboratory desk where we carry out tests,’’ he said.

Tony Eleme Project Manager Al Tabib said the medical outreach is one of the organisation’s core intervention services under its annual corporate social responsibility.

“Jiwa was taken because we did some level of research and we discovered that it is one of the rural areas in Abuja where there are healthcare service challenges.

“A lot of them here cannot afford the cost of medical services and we decided to identify with them to bring it to their door steps,’’ he said

A beneficiary, Maimunatu Ahmed thanked the organisers for the outreach, the drugs and other materials given to them.

Another beneficiary, Mr Salisu Mohammed, 67, said it was the first time he was experiencing a free medical services in the community.

“I am very grateful. I was checked and given medication; I pray that God will bless all of you that provide the services,’’ he said. (NAN)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The National Coordinator of the African Coalition on Tuberculosis in Nigeria, Ibrahim Umoru, recently said despite Coronavirus (Covid-19) challenges, Nigeria was able to exceed World Health Organisation, WHO’s by 15%.

Umoru stated this at the community sessions of the just concluded National TB conference in Abuja, where delegates from over 20 countries shared their country-specific experiences on TB elimination.

He emphasized the need for resources and commitment, as exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic in achieving the goal of ending TB by 2030 in Nigeria.

He therefore urged for broader collaboration, political will and realignment of priorities, Umoru explained if well meaning corporations and individuals prioritized and champion TB cause like other causes, the end of TB fight is imminent.

According to Umoru, “With the right diagnostics, resources, and support, we can achieve the 2030 goal,” he said.

Similarly, Deborah Ike, the Executive Director of the Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC), highlighting the challenges being confronting Nigeria in the fight against TB stress the need to break all barriers in order to meet the 2030 target for TB eradication.  

Ike noted that a lot more needs to be done in the areas of education and awareness as stigmatization and discrimination remain major barriers.

“Even though testing and treatment are free in Nigeria, many still die because they’re afraid to access these services. 

“Some people avoid seeking treatment because they fear being judged. 

“Others have lost jobs due to TB, which not only worsens their economic situation but can also lead to further psychological and physical decline.”  

Ike emphasized the critical need for effective information dissemination to combat stigma, adding that it is important for people to understand that a person on treatment can no longer spread the disease, unlike one who has refused to be treated.

“This knowledge will reduce fear, encourage treatment, and help cut the chain of transmission”.
 
A Director for Tuberculosis at Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Dr Bolatito Aiyedigba, highlighted some of the innovations used to increase case detection such as the Check Am slogan, to encourage community people to test their lingering coughs.

”Some of the innovations were introduced during the COVID-19 era, COVID came with cough and cough is usually associated with tuberculosis as well. So it could be tuberculosis. Not every cough is due to COVID, so check it.

”Cough is due to different kinds of illnesses. And until you check, you will not know. And we also worked with the national TB hotline, when they call, they are directed on what to do, asked more questions and their fears are allayed, so they can get the appropriate testing. So that really, really helped. In addition to all the other innovations that came into the facility, testing was also improved.”

Aiyedigba also informed that the stigmatisation of people living with TB is still very high in Nigeria, noting that the country needs to tackle the menace.

”This is the next line of action that we’re going to tackle. Because now we’re fighting the TB cases, we’re putting them on treatment but we have to address the issue of stigma.

”And the stigma starts from self-stigmatisation, there’s no need to stigmatise yourself for having tuberculosis because tuberculosis is curable and treatable.

National TB Conference is an annual event organisedthe Stop TB Partnership Nigeria. The 2024 edition , themed “Public-Private Partnership and Integrated Service Delivery: Panacea to End TB in Nigeria,” was organised by the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The three day event brought together Representatives from Stop TB Partnership Geneva, public health experts, community and civil organisations, private and public stakeholders from across the world, amongst many others.