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BHCPF to provide 23 healthcare services for vulnerable persons in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Poor and vulnerable persons in Kano state are set to receive 23 healthcare services at affordable rates via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Kano Focus reports that communication consultant with Lafiya Program, Aminu Sarki disclosed this at a training for health journalists organized by Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM).
Malam Aminu Sarki
Mr Sarki said the beneficiaries include persons aged 85 years and above, people living with HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, pregnant women, as well as poor people.
He said beneficiaries will pay N12,000 per annum to the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency.
List of Services
Mr Sarki explained that the beneficiaries are entitled to 10 services at primary health centres.
“These include general consultation with prescribed drugs, health education for prevention of diseases, primary care surgery, paediatrics and internal medicine for adults.
Participants
“Others are HIV/AIDS/ sexual transmitted diseases, mental health management, maternal, neonatal and child health services, emergency services, and basic laboratory investigations.”
Mr Sarki added that the beneficiaries are entitled to 13 services at secondary health facilities.
“These include consultation with prescribed drugs, emergencies occurring outside usual residence or accredited Health Care facility, Paediatrics and Internal medicine for adults.
“Others are surgery, dental care, ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat, physiotherapy and laboratory investigation.”
Reporting Health Issues
In his remarks, the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano state council, Abbas Ibrahim challenged participants to accord health issues deserving priority in their reportage.
Comrade Abbas Ibrahim and other participants
According to him news report should not be restricted to reporting problem or wrongdoing, but also engaging those responsible to provide solution.
He recalled how he constantly pursued cases up to logical conclusion when he was covering a crime beat at Radio Kano decades ago.
Also speaking Nasir Mu’azu Isa tasked participants to put into practice what they acquired during the training.
Malam Nasir Mu’azu Isa
The participants consist of media practitioners drawn from KanSLAM knowledge management subcommittee.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)
The BHCPF is a health intervention scheme established under National Health Act (2014) to provide basic health care services to poor and vulnerable.
Its aim is to reduce maternal mortality rate by 31% (from 576 to 400 per 100,000 live births), neo maternal rate by 33% (from 39 to 26 per 1,000 live births) and under five mortality rate by 29% (from 120 to 85 per 1,000 live births) with 50% of BHCPF.
Mr Sarki added that the purpose of the BHCPF is to ensure the provision of basic health care package of health services to all Nigerians through National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS and state Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency KSCHMA.
Another purpose of the programme is “Strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) system through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) with 45% of BHCPF.
Participants
“Providing Emergency Treatment with 5% of the BHCPF to be administered by the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC).
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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