From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has solicited the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) in curbing the menace of Tuberculosis (TB) and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the state.
Ganduje who stated this while receiving the UN High Level Mission to Kano on TB and NCDs under the leadership of Mrs. Annabelle who was assisted by Dr. Jean-Marie Dangou, from WHO Regional Office for Africa, expressed his determination to improve Data Quality for the purpose of complying with the global best practice in the detection and treatment of TB and NCDs.
He said the resolve stemmed from his desire to serve the people better in the healthcare delivery system.
Ganduje, however, assured his unrelenting commitment in improving Data Quality with the inclusion of community leaders and health workers at the grassroot, around TB and NCDs.
Ganduje also promised to work in tandem with the two world bodies in dealing with TB and NCDs, pointing out that , “in Kano, we understand such and similar problems, that is why we are strengthening our primary health care delivery system.
“As we are using our traditional institutions across all our five Emirates by understanding the very community leaders, from Ward Heads to Village Heads to District Heads up to the Emirs, where they register any new born and children under one year, for the purpose of Immunization, we are using the same method to expedite action against TB and NCDs.”
He added that under this strategy, “records taken by the community leaders are compared with that in the registers of health workers at the primary health care facilities, through this reconciliation effort, Data is authenticated.
“With the inclusion of TB and NCs, quality of Data around these diseases would improve and more hands would be on deck in checking the problem. We believe in multi-sectoral approach in tackling this and similar problems.”
Ganduje insisted on the multi-sectoral approach right from awareness creation campaign and along all other processes within the scope under discussion, explaining that, “the Ministry of Health is there, Ministry of Education because of our schools and Ministry of Information being experts in information dissemination. The inclusion of our traditional institutions is of paramount importance. Being closer to people.”
The UN representative, Annabelle stated that, people die of TB more than that of Malaria, adding that, “TB goes up due to poor public awareness. They are preventable. All we need to do is to act very well against it and NCDs.”
She called for galvanizing multi-sectoral action against the diseases, adding that, “we need synergy to tackle the problem. We commend the enormous effort in the development of the health sector in Kano state. All the courtesy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, because of the political will.”
On State Health Trust Fund, she praised Ganduje for the initiative stating hat, “with the Kano State Health Trust Fund, your commitment even surpasses the Abuja Declaration. I am using this medium to also commend Her Excellency, the First Lady (Prof. Hafsat Umar Ganduje) for being a Champion of the fight against TB.”
She also urged the Gandujeto extend the use of private sector in the awareness creation campaign and funding of the sub-sector for the health of the state and the nation in general.
WHO’s representative, Dr. Dangou after commending Ganduje’s effort in the health sector, pointed out that, “by virtue of the good work and feats achieved by Dr. Ganduje’s administration, the state is a shining example in the country and other African countries.”
Policy Briefs on TB and NCDs were given to the Ganduje with the intent that, they should also further help in strengthening efforts towards primary health care delivery system.
