More than 17,000 children have been diagnosed with pneumonia in Kano State, raising concerns over the burden of childhood infections and the need for improved preventive healthcare.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this during the commemoration of World Pneumonia Day and World Diabetes Day in Kano.
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He said more than 300,000 children had been affected by pneumonia across Nigeria this year, warning that the disease could be life-threatening, particularly among young children.
Dr Yusuf identified malnutrition as a major factor that increases children’s vulnerability to pneumonia and worsens the severity of the infection.
He explained that the state government had trained healthcare workers on specialised approaches to managing childhood illnesses to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and reduce preventable deaths.
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The event was organised to raise awareness about childhood pneumonia, promote prevention, early detection and appropriate treatment, as well as strengthen efforts to reduce pneumonia-related deaths among children.
On diabetes, the Commissioner described the condition as a serious health challenge that requires proper management to prevent complications.
He disclosed that more than 500 million people worldwide were living with diabetes, while an estimated 7.5 per cent of Kano State residents were also affected.
Dr Yusuf said the Kano State Government had intensified efforts to improve healthcare services for people living with diabetes, including the provision of essential medical equipment.
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According to him, more than 1,000 health facilities across the state have benefited from the distribution of medical equipment to strengthen diabetes screening, diagnosis and management.
The Commissioner assured residents that the Ministry of Health would sustain public awareness campaigns on the prevention, early detection and proper management of pneumonia and diabetes.