The Kebbi Government says it offered free treatment to 23,542 patients with mental illness at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach from 2023 till date in the state.
The Commissioner of, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, made this known at the weekly ministerial press briefing organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Culture.
He said “the ministry intervenes in cases of mental health and other social challenges.
“Between May 2023 and now, 23,542 patients with mental illness cases received treatment and medications at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach in Birnin Kebbi.”
On regulation of the conduct of Almajiris, Sani-Aliyu disclosed that a unit had been established to carry out demography of Islamiyya and Almajiri schools in the state.
He added that the aim is to identify the age and number of pupils, their various origins, parents and their living conditions for appropriate actions.
He added that “over 1,500 cases have been handled by the state Hisbah under the Shari’a Department of the ministry to usher peace, tranquility and brotherhood in our society.”
On partnerships, the commissioner said that the ministry facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the Qatar Foundation.
This, he said, would result in the construction of over 200 boreholes and other social amenities for the teeming populace.
“Furthermore, the ministry will establish linkage with the Indonesian Embassy on possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, socio- cultural and education cooperation,” he said.
Sani-Aliyu said that the state government had liaised with the ministry to cushion the effect of hardship faced by the people before, during and after Ramadan in the state.
“The areas we intervened are: Ramadan feeding at designated Mosques across the state, targeting 11,400 persons per day and the vulnerable groups Ramadan intervention for girls’ schools and women groups in centres across the state by Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris, targeting 1,700 families.
“Others are the joint house to house Ramadan packages in Birnin Kebbi and women groups at designated centres in three emirate headquarters outside Birnin Kebbi, targeting
14,000 families, among others.”
The commissioner commended Gov. Nasir Idris for using religion to reduce moral decadence, youth waywardness, vices and crimes through moral education and counselling in liaison with relevant government agencies.
NAN
