Headlines
Group advocates more fund releases to epidemic preparedness in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Participants at a one day workshop to adopt the revised Epidemic Preparedness Response (EPR) accountability framework have appealed for more releases in health sector in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants comprised of lawmakers, government officials, journalists and civil society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion the chairman house committee on environment and member representing Takai in the state House of Assembly Musa Ali Kachako said the state government has allocated N400 million for Epidemic Preparedness Response in 2022 appropriation.
He assured Assembly’s commitment in supporting health security financing in Kano state.
In his address a director at Kano state House of Assembly Nasiru Magaji said the proposed Kano Health Bill will address critical sector of health security financing in Kano.
Also speaking director budget in the state Ministry of Planning and Budget Yakubu Sabiu Garundanga revealed that the 2021 budget performance is slightly above expectation.
He also appealed to state Primary Health Care Management Board and Hospital Management Board to submit details of partners’ intervention in their respective organisations to the ministry to be fully reflected in periodic budget performance report.
The Director budget in the ministry Abbas Karaye observed that there are other EPR interventions in some ministries, departments and agencies that are not been captured during review performance of the government’s spending on health.
According to him government interventions on erosion control, Avien Influenza, procurement of animal vaccination and and provision of portable drinking water are part of Epidemic Preparedness Response.
In his presentation titled ‘Performance of the Government’s spending on Health and EPR and real time data tracking on the EPR accountability framework’ Iniobong Usen of BudgIT observed an improvement in Kano state budget performance where the state spent over fifty percent of it’s approved budget in Capital expenditure.
He however, frowned on low expenditure in health subsector where he said “comparatively to other sectors like agriculture and environment the government spend relatively less than it had planned to spend in the approved budget.
“Speaking to EPR which is the reason why we are here today. Last year, the government had allocated M300m to Epidemic Preparedness Response, although commendably that sum has been increased to N400m this year. However, if you look at the implementation of that N300m budget line for Epidemic Preparedness last year, it was quite poor.
“At some point during year, we heard that N30m had been approved for disbursement out of N300m. As at today, we have no information on exactly if that approved N30m was disbursed and what exactly specific way in terms of utilising that N30m for Epidemic Preparedness.”
Earlier, the state coordinator of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) Muhammad Inuwa Shu’aib said relevant stakeholders have brainstorm on how to improve EPR and health security in Kano state.
On the next line of action, Shu’aib said all stakeholders will work on the action plan develop during the workshop to ensure sustainable financing for health security in Kano state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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