The Kano State Government says it has rehabilitated 320 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to quality medical services.
The State Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference held as part of activities marking Democracy Day and the third anniversary of the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf.
According to the commissioner, the current administration inherited a healthcare system with over 1,200 dilapidated facilities when it assumed office in 2023.
“When we came in 2023, we met 1,236 health centres in dilapidated condition. I’m happy to inform you that government has, within the last three years, renovated and equipped 320 PHCs,” he said.
Labaran Yusuf said the government had also strengthened manpower in the health sector through collaboration with the Federal Government, leading to the recruitment and deployment of additional healthcare workers to various facilities across the state.
He revealed that plans are underway to recruit about 7,000 more health personnel, including nurses and midwives, to address workforce shortages and improve healthcare services across Kano’s 44 local government areas.
The commissioner noted that the administration has prioritised the development of secondary healthcare services while improving the availability of essential medicines in public health facilities.
He added that the government has revived training and retraining programmes for healthcare workers, restored professionalism within the sector, and secured accreditation for several health-related courses from relevant regulatory agencies.
According to him, opportunities have also been created for medical doctors to advance to consultant status, a move aimed at boosting the capacity of health institutions and improving patient care.
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Labaran Yusuf described the establishment of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control as one of the major achievements of the administration, noting that the facility has significantly enhanced the state’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“The establishment of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control is one of Governor Yusuf’s administration’s achievements.
The centre has improved the state’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies since its establishment,” he said.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government has intensified routine immunisation campaigns across all 44 local government areas to curb the spread of diphtheria and protect eligible children from preventable diseases.
He urged residents to observe preventive measures, including avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated environments, to reduce the risk of infection.
Labaran Yusuf also announced that the government has expanded tuberculosis screening programmes across the state, including free testing for pregnant women and other residents.
“Screening of Tuberculosis among pregnant women and other persons is free and is being conducted across the state,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to medical services and strengthening disease prevention efforts across Kano State.