Kano a Role Mole in Health Commodity Supply

By Farouk Isa Musa 

Several states in Nigeria have been looking upon to Kano state government for guidance in terms of supply chain management and policies, programs, and initiatives regarding the health sector in general, due to the fact that the state was successful and serves as a model to be imitated.

This was disclosed by Pharm. Gali Sule Director General Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) today while delivering a welcome address during the Quarterly Review Meeting held at the conference hall of the agency.

According to him, Kano State is first to do new or different things and so provides an example for others to follow. For instance, some 11 states have so far visited Kano and studied how the DMCSA implemented the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme, and went back home and reflecate the program.

Speaking on the Quarterly Review Meeting, the DG said the meeting is organized every three months to showcase the achievements recorded at DMCSA, brainstorm on the challenges bedeviling the agency, and chart the way forward.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said the review meeting is a system that ensures accountability and transparency in running the affairs of the agency.

The Commissioner commended the DG for his resilience and persistence in organizing the review meeting. He also lauded the development partners, such as Alive and Thrive/FHI 360, MSH, Medicin San Frontier (MSF), and many others, who participated at the meeting for their unflinching support.

Presentations were made by resource persons from government agencies, including Hospital Management Board, Primary Health Care Management Board, and four Zonal Medical Stores, namely Danbatta, Gwarzo, Rano, and Gaya, among others.

The meeting was facilitated by the Ministry of Health through Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSSC) with the support from Nutrition International and its funded FAcE-PaM program.

The Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf chaired the meeting, and it was attended by the heads of agencies, directors from the ministry and its parastatals, development partners, representatives of MDAs, and other relevant stakeholders.

Kano Govt, FAcE-PaM Organize PSM-TWG Quarterly Meeting

By Farouk Musa Isa 

The Kano State Ministry of Health, in partnership with Nutrition International-funded FAcE-PaM implemented project, has organized a Third Quarter Procurement and Supply - Technical Working Group (PSM-TWG) Meeting for the year 2024.

Let it be 'KanoGovt/Nutrition International funded FAcE-PaM implemented project

The aim of the meeting, which took place at the conference hall of Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), was to review the supply chain management of health commodities for the period under review, specifically in the area of TB, malaria, HIV/AIDs, family planning, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) programs.

In his opening remark, the chairman of the meeting and Director Pharmaceutical Services, Primary Health Care Management Board Pharm. Abdullahi Danzabuwa commended the participants for their selflessness and dedication to service.

He then called on them to put more effort in discharging their assigned duties so as to attain the set goals and objectives.

Pharm. Danzabuwa expressed his appreciation to Nutrition International, headed by Victoria Aguomo, the State Coordinator, and its sister project, the FAcE-PaM, for supporting the meeting.

During the meeting, several presentations were made that covered all the activities accomplished during the quarter, the success recorded, challenges encountered, and the way forward.

The resource persons who made the presentations include Nura Yahaya from Hospital Management Board, Lawan Muhammad, and Aminu Umar of Logistics Management Cordinating Unit (or LMCU), Ministry of Health.

Others are Pharm. Sabitu Dabo, Logistics Officer at the Ministry, Salisu Abubakar Logistics Officer National Hypertension Control Unit, and Pharm. Habu Takai, Logistics Officer, Primary Health Care Management Board.

NRCS organizes HCID Step-Down training to enhance healthcare delivery

By our correspondent

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kano State Branch has organized a one-day HCID (Health Care in Danger) step-down training for selected healthcare personnel in Kano. 

The training is aimed to foster stronger relationship between healthcare providers and communities they serve, to enhance healthcare service delivery.

Reports said that key figures who grace the occasion include Branch Chairman, Barrister Salisu Idris Sallama, Branch Secretary, Alhaji Musa D. Abdullahi, and Chief Imam of Giginyu Jumat Mosque.

Participants were drawn from various sectors, such as State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Hospital Management Board, health facilities, media representatives and religious leaders.

Nigerian Army donates classrooms to Kano community

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Nigerian Army has donated four-block of classroom to the Datti Ahmad Government Secondary School, Wurure in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.

The army also rehabilitated an office block and provided 216 classroom furniture to the school under the Chief of Army Staff COAS) Special Intervention Programme.

The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, stated this during the formal handing-over of the remodelled classrooms on Saturday in Kano.

He said the gesture would strengthen civil-military relations and enhance access to quality education in the state.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, the Army Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Lagbaja said the project was designed to support communities of serving senior officers of the army, who rose to the rank of Major Generals through dedication in serving the nation.

According to Lagbaja, the gesture will further improve academic atmosphere and better learning, adding that, “the initiative is to eradicate insecurity and boost morale of Nigerian Army personnel within communities and promote quality education”.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and pledged loyalty to the president.

Earlier, the project facilitator, Maj.-Gen. Sani Bashir, said the choice of the school for the Army Chief Special Intervention was predicated on overarching need to provide a conducive learning environment for the youths.

Bashir, who is the Chief of Defense Communication, said that: “It is hoped that the infrastructure provided in my community will serve as an impetus for the teachers and stimulate interest of the students to develop their intellectual capacity for national development.

“It is pertinent to stress that the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Project is a Nigerian Army Corporate Social Responsibility initiative in supporting Kano State Government’s effort at developing the educational sector”.

Also speaking, the Commander, 26 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Teminere Mackintosh, lauded the COAS for funding the project and giving back to Nigerians.

NHRC receives 618 complaints in 3 months in Kano

By Bosede Olufunmi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kano State, said it received 618 complaints of alleged human rights abuses from July to date.

The NHRC State Coordinator, Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano.

He said that 480 of the cases had been treated, while 138 were pending.

Abdullahi said that 346 cases bordered on women and children, 75 were on breach of trust while 50 were on spousal responsibilities.

According to him, 60 of the cases received during the period under review were on abandonment of family responsibility and domestic violence.

“No fewer than 52 cases were on labour, land properties and cultural, economic, social rights,”he said.

Abdullahi further explained that the remaining 35 were on labour matters mostly arising as conflicts 0n employer-employee relation.

He said they were mostly on end of service entitlements and compensation on damages that occurred due to accidents while on duty.

Abudallahi added that the commission had also mediated on some marital matters between couples and families.

The state coordinator urged couples to be more patient with one another in order to be able to jointly manage their responsibilities.

Flooding: Authority warns farmers against planting near Dams

By Bosede Olufunmi

Alhaji Ma’amun Da’u, Managing Director, Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Authority (HJRBDA), has warned farmers planting near Challawa Gorg dam, against impending flood in the area.

Da’u, who gave the advice while addressing the farmers, urged them to dredge the heaps wider in order to avert flood from washing away their plantings.

Da’u, who led the management of the aunthority on an inspection to the Dam on Tuesday in Kano, said the dam is an inflow from northern Kaduna and Part of Katsina.

“The volume of the water is 930 billion cubic meters, 40 meter high and the size is about 100 kilometers square, with about 3, 875 catchment area.

“We are on this inspection to check the spillway and gallery to know their condition due to the recent flood happening in our environs.

“We are happy that the spillway and gallery are working perfectly well and also in good condition,”he said.

Da’u said that the authority is taking some actions to mitigate the impact of flooding, which include immediate clearing of blocked drainages, constructing temporary flood barriers and evacuation from flood plains to safe higher grounds.

He assured the farmers that the Dam is safe and there is no cause for alarm. (NAN)

Kano Ministry of Information, UNICEF Organize 2-Day Orientation for Information Officers

By Farouk Musa Isa 

The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has organised 2-day orientation program aimed at enhancing the capacity of Information Officers of the 44 local government areas of kano State on critical issues related to child survival and development.

A statement issued by Musbahu Aminu Yakasai Deputy Director Internal Affairs of the ministry quoted the commissioner of information Baba Halilu Dantiye during the occasion held at Ni'ima Guest Palace, Kano, saying that the orientation program was designed to equip Information Officers with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively communicate and advocate for policies and initiatives that promote the well-being and rights of children in Kano State.

He also emphasized the orientation is a vital step towards ensuring that Information Officers are well-equipped to disseminate accurate and timely information on child survival and development.

Baba Halilu Dantiye then made a call to action for the information officers to utilize the newly acquired skills and knowledge in the discharge of their duties. 

The UNICEF's Representative, Dr Ogu Enemaku, commended the commissioner for his proactive approach in reviving and strengthening the relationship that exist between the ministry and the UNICEF.

He reiterated UNICEF's commitment to working closely with the ministry to achieve the set objectives.

During the orientation program the information officers were engaged with a series of papers presented by the Director Information Alhaji inuwa Idris Yakasai and Director Special Assignment Halima Ahmad Ishaq from the Ministry of Information and Dr Ogu Enemaku and Mr Kayode Abioye from the UNICEF Kano Field Office.