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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.
Headlines
EndBadGovernance protest: Kwankwaso slams police over arraignment of minors
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Governor of Kano state, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the recent arraignment of 67 minors by the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso voiced out his concern in a statement shared on his X handle on Friday
Expressing shock at the development, the NNPP leader voiced grave concern over the treatment of the children.
Kwankwaso highlighted their malnourished condition and urgent need for medical care.
“These children, who are clearly malnourished and in need of medical attention, have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school.
“The arraignment of such a large number of minors in their states is highly unusual and undermines every tenet of human rights and dignity,” he added.
He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to protect vulnerable groups from harm.
He stated, “As leaders, it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, particularly children, women, the elderly, and the needy. The
government should not be at the forefront of this violation.”
Speaking on the stringent bail conditions set for the minors, he said, “It is absurd that a teenager is required to find ₦10 million and a Grade 15 civil servant as bail surety.”
Citing the Child Rights Act of 2003, he noted, “Section 11 protects the dignity of every child and shields them from any physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.”
Calling for immediate action, he urged authorities to reconsider the charges.
“I request that the relevant authorities immediately review these charges so that the minors can return to their families and become responsible citizens,” he urged.
He also called on the Federal Government “to address the challenges of banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram, lack of stable electricity, and harsh economic policies rather than incarcerating children.”
Earlier, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, some minors arraigned over the #EndBadGovernance protest collapsed in the courtroom, many appearing visibly malnourished after three months of incarceration.
Following their arraignment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to the #EndBadGovernance protesters, setting each bail at ₦10 million, totalling ₦760 million.
Each defendant is required to have two sureties. The judge specified that one surety must be a Level 15 civil servant, and the other must be the defendant’s parent.
The sureties are also required to submit letters of last promotion, letters of appointment, and valid identification to the court.
They must provide verified addresses, passport photographs, international passports, and swear an affidavit of means.
Headlines
Amnesty International demands release of detained #EndBadGovernance protesters
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The human rights group Amnesty International has condemned the continued detention of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja Friday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Nigeria Police arrested over a thousand protesters nationwide in August, following protests held between the 1st and the 10th of August 2024, demanding an end to the hardships and hunger caused by the policies of the Tinubu administration.
Among the 76 protesters arraigned were some minors, who appeared visibly malnourished after spending months in detention. One of the minors collapsed in court before being provided with biscuits and water.
Amnesty International stated that the attempt to charge the minors with treason demonstrated “the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law,” while also calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernance protests. The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. Authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally,” they stated.
The group also highlighted cases of unlawful arrests involving 12 minors in Katsina during the protests, as well as 43 others facing charges of treason at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They warned that the Nigerian authorities were escalating their efforts to deprive people of their right to peaceful protest through unlawful detentions and sham trials.
It stated, “In Katsina, at least 12 children under 16 years old were detained merely for being on the streets during the #EndBadGovernance protests. These children, with their entire lives ahead of them, are now at risk of being tried on fabricated charges.
“The unlawful detention of these minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest, is unacceptable. The government must release all of them immediately and unconditionally.”
Headlines
Sunusi Bature Aims to Eradicate Sickle Cell Births in Kano by 2034
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a determined push to eliminate sickle cell disease in Kano State, Malam Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson for the Kano State Governor, has set an ambitious target: no child born with sickle cell by 2034.
Announcing this commitment during the foundation-laying of the Sadiq Maddibo Memorial Quranic Centre in Dawakin Tofa, Bature outlined the state’s focused approach to tackling the disease.
He revealed his collaboration with the sickle cell community to launch a comprehensive advocacy program aimed at eliminating sickle cell births across Kano.
“With careful planning and a unified strategy, we can make sickle cell births a thing of the past in Kano State, insha’Allah,” Bature said.
Central to this vision is the Kano Pre-Marital Law, which mandates genetic screening for couples, ensuring that marriages between carriers are avoided.
This law, supported by local religious leaders, aims to curb the genetic transmission of sickle cell disease.
Bature, who lost a son to sickle cell complications and has another child currently battling the condition, highlighted the devastating effects of the disease.
“Sickle cell is more dangerous than HIV,” he stated.
“It is our collective responsibility as citizens, advocates, and leaders to spread awareness and prevent high-risk marriages.”
Reflecting on his late son Sadiq’s lifelong struggle with sickle cell, marked by thousands of hospital visits and treatments, Bature stressed the critical role of pre-marital genetic testing in safeguarding future generations.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” he urged, calling on all residents to comply with the state’s mandatory testing to create a brighter, healthier future for Kano’s children.