Headlines
I will make Kano hub for medical tourism in Africa – Sha’aban Sharada
Nasiru Yusuf
The Governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party and a Member representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada has assured the Nigerian Medical Association of his intentions in making Kano a centre of Medical Tourism in Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Governorship candidate made the assurance in a letter sent to the leadership of the Association, during a debate for candidates aspiring to lead Kano on how to reposition the state’s comatose health care system.
The debate was part of the associations’ activities to mark the Physician week 2022.
In the letter, the Governorship candidate regretted his absence during the debate. However, he was represented by his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmad Bako.
A statement issued on Thursday by Spokesman of ADP Gubernatorial candidate Abbas Yusha’u Yusuf, Sharada said he is currently in a meeting at Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh with stakeholders on how to actualize his Vision 2040 for Kano state, part of which is repositioning the state’s health care.
The ADP Governorship candidate said part of his vision is to make Kano State a hub for medical tourism in Africa. He noted that he is already working with some international hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, and other international development partners on taking Kano to greater height when he assumes office as Governor of Kano state come May 29 2023.
He commended Abdulnasir Hajaj, whose private hospital will be launched soon, which will surely be one of the best hospitals in Africa.
The Governorship candidate said he will partner with Nigeria Medical Association, Kano State chapter and other respected indigenous medical practitioners across the country to ensure adequate funds for healthcare services.
The politician pledged to ensure timely release and judicious utilisation of funds appropriated for healthcare services in Kano state if elected.
He told the NMA leadership that he will provide satisfactory welfare to all healthcare workers, and declared that all medical directors managing state owned hospital have substantial level of administrative and financial independence.
“Ensuring enabling environment for essential and non-essential health workers and upgrading healthcare centers across the 484 wards in Kano State while uplifting government hospitals across the 44 Local Governments of Kano State.
“I will also build three (3) new general hospitals, one (1) in each of the senatorial zones in Kano State and an ultra-modern teaching hospital and school of Nursing under Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano,” Sharada said.
Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada further said he will not relent in his effort to introduce degree programs in Nursing and hospital Management Administration in the state’s universities. He promised to construct a state of the art DNA and forensics center.
To curtail the psychiatric problem affecting members of the general public, the ADP candidate assured NMA of building a state of the art psychiatric and rehabilitation center, and upgrade existing ones.
“In reducing high rate of sickle cell anaemia I will come up with sickle cell multidisciplinary clinic. I will also restructure Health Service Management Board While at the same time revamping and modernizing the Kano Infectious Diseases Hospital.”
He also promised to procure ambulances to hospitals for timely and safe transfer of patients and other purposes.”
Sharada added that he will partner with International hospitals such as Saudi-German for sharing of knowledge, technology and best practices, and also to support Kano based hospitals and invite foreign ones to open branches in Kano.
He thanked the Nigeria Medical Association for organizing the debate during the 2022 Physician week and promised to deploy his experience and hard earned goodwill at the National
Assembly to influence appropriating increased budgetary funds for Federal Hospitals in Kano.
This according to him will enable the hospital afford better facilities and equipments for patients with diabetes, hypertension, cancer and access to affordable dialysis.
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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