-As UNICEF laments the increase in disease

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna- Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state has expressed determination to wipe out polio within 4 months in Kano state, insisting that his administration would also not relent in ensuring that the high rate of maternal mortality is drastically reduced in the same period, within the state.

The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, spoke while declaring open an orientation training organized by the Kano State Ministry of Health for their staff,44 Local Government Council Chairmen and the Kano Emirate in Kaduna.

“The challenge of tackling the two health issues is a task the Government of Kano under my leadership will pursue to its logical conclusion,” he said.

Abdusalam Gwarzo who’s also Chairman of the Kano State Immunization Committee, appreciated the presence of government officials, members of the state House of Assembly, and and Kano Emirate at the occasion, saying it showed the seriousness they had in eradicating polio and maternal mortality.

While calling on all to be serious about the exercise, he advised that Local Government officials in their domains, together with the traditional rulers, should monitor the immunization exercise closely.

“Any health worker who is not committed will be replaced without delay with a more serious and committed staff.The state government under the leadership of Abba Yusuf is determined to make the state free of polio by June 2025 and we will join the campaign in making it free at the end of the year,” he said.

The representative of the United Nation’s Children Funds (UNICEF)in Kano state, Mr Rahma Rahood Muhammad said between 2022 and 2025,there was a steady increase in the number of polio cases in the state.

” Children of Kano state are still falling prey to polio virus and many too are yet to receive any routine vaccine.Vaccines are one of the most effective and cost saving public intervention in the history. Yet nearly 250,000 children in Kano state are zero dosed( yet to collect vaccine).

“I will give you four example, in 2022, we say 6 reported cases of polio virus, in 2023, this case increased to 27, in 2024, the number now stands at 29 cases. This is almost 5 times increase since 2020,” he said

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf reiterated Kano’s determination to tackle the polio and maternal mortality,adding that”the method of MAMII introduced by the Federal government is equally what is driving Kano State government.”

“We got the message about MAMII from Federal government and it reminds us of how much work we have to do in order to sustain the momentum. Kano state is aware Nigeria wants to crash maternal mortality by 30% in the next 3 years and the state government also wants to make sure that Kano will crash the number by 30% as well if not more.”

Meanwhile,the Executive Secretary Kano State Hospitals Management Board Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda has assured of government’s effort in curtailing the rate of maternal death to it’s minimal in the state.

According to Samira Suleiman ,the Public Relations Officer Kano State Hospitals Management Board,” giving a brief after the 1st maiden meeting after inaugurating the free maternal neonatal child health committee, the Executive Secretary emphasized the importance of giving a 100% preference as the Federal Government have also launched maternal mortality reduction innovation initiative MAMII project to address Nigeria’s troubling maternal and neonatal mortality rate.”

‘The State Government, have since launched Free maternity project for all expecting mothers with includes Free caesarian section, free delivery and free delivery kits on monthly basis to the state owned facilities. “We are going to create more awareness by doing a campaign which will extend to the rural communities to let the know the importance of going to the hospital and also to know that the services are free. We will make sure that items needed for the services are always readily available in our facilities”.

“The committee which was charged with the responsibility of supervising and tracking commodities supplied to the facilities, track utilization registers, overlook the supervision reports and appropriate actions to be taken in areas of weakness as well as making sure that each package has the complete items needed for delivery. “Our revolution supervision visits is to curtail all interventional delays and ensure patients satisfaction. We Will look at our reporting system,and effect all Initiatives targeting overall reduction.”

“Members of the committee includes, director pharmaceutical services primary health care management board, director nursing services HMB, deputy director Accounts HMB, head of department Obstetrics and Gynecology Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Consultant paediatrician khalifa Sheik Isyaka Rabiu Paediatrics Hospital, logistics officer free maternal neonatal child health DMCSA.”

“Others include, Drug revolving fund focal persons Hospitals Management Board and Primary Health Care Management Board, matron in charge maternity Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, public Relations Officer hospitals management board, Director pharmaceutical services who will serve as the secretary of the committee and the Executive Secretary Kano State Hospitals Management Board who will serve as the chairman.”

“Dr Nagoda charged the committee members to carry out their assignment with honesty and deligently. The committee which it’s theme is “SAFE AND RESPECTFULLY MOTHERHOOD is expected to carry out it’s 1st major supervision in some few days to come,” Samira Suleiman added.