The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, says the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare by allocating more than the 15 percent health budget benchmark contained in the Abuja Declaration.
Dr. Labaran Yusuf stated this during the commissioning of the Abba Care Sickle Cell Centre at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) headquarters, and the newly renovated Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital in Kano.
He described the Abba Care Sickle Cell Initiative as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, noting that it provides free medical care to people living with sickle cell disease and reflects the government’s determination to improve access to quality healthcare.
The commissioner said the state government’s sustained investment in the health sector has contributd to reducing maternal and child mortality, improving nutrition, and ensuring the timely release of funds for health programmes.
According to him, other interventions introduced by the Governor include the monthly distribution of more than 6,000 safe delivery kits to pregnant women and 500 Caesarean Section (CS) kits, alongside other initiatives designed to strengthen healthcare delivery and bring it in line with global standards.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Dr. Labaran Yusuf said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had fulfilled his promise to establish a dedicated disease control centre for the state.
He explained that the facility would play a vital role in disease surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response to outbreaks, thereby enhancing public health security across Kano State.
The commissioner commended development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), FHI 360, Core Group, FCDO, Lafiya, and eHealth Africa, among others, for their invaluable technical and financial support towards the establishment of the centre.