By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Kano State Ministry of Health has convened a strategic meeting with National Health Fellows and Youth Champions as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration for improved health outcomes across the state.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, stressed the importance of youth involvement in health initiatives. He explained that the engagement was designed to equip young people with knowledge on key health issues while fostering synergy between the ministry and other sectors for collective progress.
According to him, the objectives of the meeting include strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration, developing a joint action plan for health initiatives and advocacy campaigns, and promoting community engagement and youth participation in health policy formulation and implementation.
Dr Yusuf identified some local government areas such as Tofa, Bunkure, Gaya, and Doguwa as maternal mortality hotspots, urging stakeholders to provide all necessary support to address the challenge.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator for Reproductive Health and Family Planning, Dr Aisha Barka, said the expected outcomes of the engagement include aligning activities with Kano’s health sector priorities and fostering effective synergy for youth-focused interventions.
The Chairman of ALGON and Executive Chairman of Gaya Local Government, Hon Muhammad Tajo Sani Gaya, in his goodwill message, commended the ministry’s commitment and expressed optimism about sustained collaboration between health authorities, fellows, and youth champions.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, pledged the board’s full support for youth-led health advocacy and expressed confidence in the engagement’s impact.
Other representatives from the Kano State Bureau of Statistics, Hisbah Board, Ministry of Education, Shari’ah Commission, and Ministry of Youth and Sports also reiterated their commitment to supporting youth-driven health initiatives.
The meeting also featured testimonials from Youth Champions, who shared their field experiences across different local government areas, highlighting both challenges and success stories in advancing community health.
