Kano State Enacts CDC Law, Collaborates with Gates & Dangote Foundations
The Federal Government has commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for signing into law the establishment of the Kano Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), a landmark move aimed at bolstering the state’s capacity to combat infectious and tropical diseases.
The commendation was delivered by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Muhammad Pate, during a high-level visit to the Kano State Government House on Wednesday. The delegation included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Professor Pate praised Governor Yusuf for swiftly assenting to the bill, expressing confidence that the KCDC would significantly enhance disease surveillance, prevention, and control mechanisms in the state. The minister’s visit came less than 24 hours after the governor signed the bill into law.
During the meeting, Professor Pate highlighted the urgent need to address the recent resurgence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in Kano, calling for a coordinated response to curb its spread. He also raised concerns over the state’s alarming maternal and newborn mortality rate, which stands at 639 deaths per 100,000 live births—far exceeding the national average. Reducing these deaths, he emphasized, would significantly improve Nigeria’s overall health indicators.
To strengthen healthcare delivery, Professor Pate announced federal interventions, including the establishment of three maternal care centers and the expansion of primary healthcare services under a special initiative. These measures aim to address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in the state.
Governor Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Faruq Umar Ibrahim, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating poliovirus and improving public health outcomes. He pledged to sustain collaborations with the Gates and Dangote Foundations, acknowledging their longstanding support for healthcare development in Kano.
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Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, recalled the foundation’s 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kano State Government to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization. However, with the resurgence of cVDPV, he stressed the need for renewed efforts to eliminate the disease once and for all.
Similarly, Dr. Ahmad Iyan, representing the Aliko Dangote Foundation, conveyed Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s deep concern over the poliovirus resurgence in Kano. Dr. Iyan emphasized the foundation’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria remains polio-free, urging stakeholders to address the root causes of the outbreak.
In a related development, Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Government and international organizations to eradicate cVDPV and improve healthcare delivery in Kano. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges such as polio, maternal mortality, and routine immunization gaps.
Governor Yusuf also highlighted his administration’s efforts to restore counterpart funding for routine immunization and invest in primary healthcare services. He vowed to redouble efforts to capture missing children in immunization programs, strengthen healthcare worker capacity, and improve supply chain management.
Professor Pate, in his remarks, applauded the state government’s investments in health but warned that the resurgence of cVDPV and issues such as fake fingermarking during immunization campaigns threaten progress made over the past decade. He called for proper selection and monitoring of immunization teams, as well as the involvement of traditional leaders and relevant agencies to achieve total eradication.
The Federal Government also pledged to support Kano with vaccine supplies, emergency transportation, and free treatment for pregnant women in critical conditions.
With renewed commitments from all stakeholders, Kano is poised to tackle its pressing health challenges and build a more resilient healthcare system for its residents.
The visit underscored the strong commitment of both state and federal governments, alongside international partners, to reinforce Kano’s healthcare system and combat emerging health threats. The establishment of the Kano Centre for Disease Control marks a pivotal step toward safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of residents.
By PRNigeria
