By Usman Usman Garba
The World Health Organization has reiterated its commitment to support Kano state government in enhancing surveillance for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through Primary Healthcare System Strengthening.
This was disclosed in an address by the Country Representative (WR) and Head of Mission Dr. Kazadi Mulombo Walter, ably represented by Dr Mayana Sanusi Abubakar (Kano State Coordinator) during the flag-off ceremony for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) held at Unguwa Uku PHC in Tarauni LGA of Kano state.
The State coordinator has on behalf of the WR lamented that “Severe Acute Malnutrition is a silent emergency and while the number of children being treated for wasting and other forms of life-threatening malnutrition has risen in recent years.
“With Kano state bearing the highest burden of the condition in Nigeria, evidence has shown that only one in three children with severe wasting are reached with the timely treatment and care they need to survive and thrive”.
He therefore expressed the need to strengthen the PHC surveillance system within the context of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy to ensure early detection, treatment and timely referral of severe cases for advanced care.
Dr Mayana commended the efforts of the State Governor for raising the bar above the Abuja Declaration to allocate 18% of the State budget to health for the year 2024.
He also appreciated the commitment of the Ministry of Health under the leadership of the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, in providing an enabling environment for partners to operate and provide the needed support for the good people of Kano state.
He has, however, assured His Excellency, that the World Health Organization would provide the needed technical support and tools in each health facility at all levels using the WHO workforce in the Kano state field office to enhance capacity for SAM surveillance and community-based preventive action through the network of Field Volunteers across 484 wards in 44 LGAs of Kano state.
About the ongoing outbreak of cVPV2, the State Coordinator emphasized that Kano state was the epicentre of the virus transmission, although progress has been made in gearing up the response effort to curtail and mitigate timely through ensuring quality immunization coverage for both routine and supplemental doses.
He finally congratulates His Excellency the Executive Governor for the tremendous achievement recorded by his administration in one year particularly in the health sector and for adding glamour to the MHCHW by performing the flag-off ceremony himself which is highly motivating for the health workers and beneficiaries of the planned interventions.
In his address, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emphasized that MNCHW has aimed to improve health indices through focused preventive and curative interventions that enable mothers and children to thrive and develop.
He highlighted that the week-long event provided an opportunity to deliver essential health services to mothers, newborns, and children via the existing health system, reinforcing the free maternal and child health services available at Primary Health Centers and Secondary hospitals in the state.
Governor Yusuf noted that the Kano State Government remained steadfast in implementing health programs aimed at improving the lives of its citizens which included a strong commitment to Nutrition Promotion Programs, Polio Eradication, and enhancements in Routine Immunization.
He reiterated his administration’s dedication to reducing maternal and child mortality rates and controlling preventable diseases such as Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs), Malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis.
Governor Yusuf has finally expressed his profound gratitude to the Kano state Emirates, Hon. Minster for Health, DG NPHCDA, WHO Country Representative, Representatives of UNICEF, MSF, BMGF, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Nutrition International and other development partners for the unending support and collaboration.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Health, DrDrbubakar Labaran Yusuf, stated that the MNCHW aimed to provide comprehensive care to pregnant women from conception to delivery and ensure the well-being of newborns and children under five.
Dr Labaran expressed his gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to the health sector and assured that health workers in Kano State are resolved to deliver quality services to the population.
