Kano State Governor,Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf has commissioned the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) headquarters and inaugurated the Abba Care Sickle Cell Centre at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, describing the projects as major milestones in his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery.
The governor also flagged off the distribution of 3,000 customised digital blood pressure monitors to senior public servants, maternal and neonatal health commodities, accident and emergency supplies, and 4,855 bedsheets for secondary healthcare facilities across the state.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Yusuf said the interventions reflect his administration’s vision of improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable residents.
“Today marks a defining moment in the history of Kano State. We are celebrating four monumental milestones that perfectly capture the vision, compassion and determination of this administration,” he said.
Governor Yusuf explained that the newly commissioned Kano State Centre for Disease Control, located at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, was established to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, contact tracing, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and emergency response across the state.
He described the Abba Care Sickle Cell Centre as the first specialised facility of its kind in Kano State and Northern Nigeria, established to provide comprehensive and free care for people living with sickle cell disease.
According to him, the centre will offer diagnosis, counselling, treatment, follow-up care, patient education, health promotion, specialised disease management, as well as support research and innovation under one roof.
He noted that sickle cell disease continues to affect thousands of families in Kano, with many children experiencing recurrent painful crises and other life-threatening complications.
Governor Yusuf also said the distribution of 3,000 customised digital blood pressure monitors to civil servants and political appointees underscores the government’s commitment to promoting a healthy and productive workforce.
He described hypertension as a “silent killer” responsible for many cases of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and sudden death, stressing that regular screening and monitoring remain essential for early detection and effective management.
The governor further stated that the distribution of maternal, neonatal and child health commodities, accident and emergency supplies, and 4,855 bedsheets would improve healthcare delivery, reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, and strengthen hygiene standards in secondary health facilities across the 44 local government areas.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed that his administration would continue to prioritise preventive healthcare through sustained investments in primary and secondary healthcare services, while expanding access to quality medical care and health education across communities.
He commended the Kano State Ministry of Health under the leadership of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, healthcare workers, traditional institutions, development partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to improving healthcare services in the state.
The governor officially commissioned the health facilities and interventions, expressing confidence that they would significantly improve healthcare outcomes and provide better support for patients, particularly those living with sickle cell disease.