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. This landmark move aims to bolster the state’s capacity to combat infectious and tropical diseases.
The commendation came from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Muhammad Pate, who led a high-level delegation comprising officials from the ministry, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation on a courtesy visit to the Kano State Government House on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Professor Pate praised the governor’s swift action in signing the bill into law, less than 24 hours after its passage. He expressed confidence that the new law would enhance disease surveillance, prevention, and control mechanisms in the state.
During the visit, Professor Pate revealed that the delegation was in Kano to assess the resurgence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in the state. He emphasized the need for an urgent, coordinated response to curb its spread.
The minister also raised concerns over Kano’s high maternal and newborn mortality rate, which stands at 639 deaths per 100,000 live births—well above the national average. He stressed that reducing these deaths would significantly improve Nigeria’s overall health indicators.
To support healthcare delivery in the state, Professor Pate announced plans for Federal Government intervention, including the establishment of three maternal care centers and the expansion of primary healthcare services under a special intervention initiative.
Representing Governor Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Faruq Umar Ibrahim, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to eradicating poliovirus and improving public health in Kano. He pledged continued collaboration with the Gates and Dangote Foundations, acknowledging their longstanding contributions to healthcare development in the state.
Despite progress in the health sector, Governor Yusuf noted that challenges remain, particularly in routine immunization, maternal health, and supply chain management. In response, he vowed to strengthen immunization efforts, enhance healthcare workers’ capacity, and ensure the availability of essential vaccines.
Furthermore, the governor disclosed that his administration had reinstated counterpart funding for routine immunization, addressing gaps inherited from the previous administration and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services.
Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, recalled the organization’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 emphasized the need for renewed efforts to eliminate the disease permanently.
Similarly, Dr. Ahmad Iyan, a representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, conveyed Aliko Dangote’s deep concern over the resurgence of poliovirus in Kano. He reiterated Dangote’s unwavering commitment to ensuring Nigeria remains polio-free.
Dr. Iyan acknowledged the frustration of battling poliovirus again a decade after Kano recorded its last case of wild poliovirus but urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to tackle the root causes of the outbreak.
With strong commitments from both state and federal governments, alongside continued support from international partners, Kano is poised to strengthen its healthcare system and combat emerging health threats. The establishment of the Kano Centre for Disease Control marks a crucial step toward safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of residents.
