KSACA Moves to Harmonise Premarital Medical Certificate Procedures Across Kano State

By Maryam Umar

The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) has convened a one-day Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on the Issuance and Dissemination of Premarital Medical Certificates to End-users Across Kano State, as part of efforts to establish a coordinated, accessible and standardized framework for the implementation of premarital medical certification across the state.

The meeting, chaired by the Director General of KSACA, Dr. Usman Bashir, brought together key stakeholders from public and private institutions to deliberate on the proposed framework, clarify institutional responsibilities and develop practical mechanisms for the effective issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State.

The engagement aimed to clarify the purpose and scope of premarital medical certificates, promote consistency in procedures and information provided to prospective users, and strengthen coordination among health, legal, religious and community stakeholders.

It also provided a platform for addressing critical issues relating to confidentiality, informed consent, respectful communication and referral pathways, while identifying practical arrangements to facilitate effective dissemination and implementation at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Dr. Usman Bashir explained that the engagement was designed to foster a shared understanding among stakeholders through a comprehensive review of the proposed framework and clarification of the processes for issuing and disseminating premarital medical certificates.

According to him, the meeting would also enable participants to identify essential requirements by examining the legal, health, operational, cultural and community considerations associated with the implementation of the framework.

He further emphasized the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities, noting that effective implementation would require agreed roles and coordinated efforts among relevant ministries, departments, agencies, healthcare facilities and community structures.

The roundtable also underscored the need for a harmonized approach that promotes accessibility, consistency and appropriate information-sharing while safeguarding the privacy, dignity and rights of individuals seeking premarital medical certification.

Participants engaged in discussions on the proposed framework, institutional mandates and suitable implementation strategies to ensure that the issuance and dissemination of uniform premarital medical certificates are effectively coordinated across the state.

Those in attendance included representatives of relevant health agencies, healthcare facilities, the judiciary, regulatory bodies and other public and private institutions, alongside religious and community leaders.

Notable stakeholders represented at the meeting included the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Shari’ah Commission, the Hisbah Board and the Council of Ulama, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter, among others, reflecting the importance of collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers and community leadership in achieving effective implementation.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of stakeholder engagement in developing a practical and coordinated approach to premarital medical certification in Kano State, with emphasis on clearly defined procedures, institutional collaboration, responsible communication and accessibility across all 44 Local Government Areas.

Through the initiative, KSACA seeks to strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders and support the establishment of a consistent framework for the issuance and dissemination of premarital medical certificates throughout Kano State.

Kano DMCSA Moves to E-Tendering, Set to Digitise Procurement Exercise

...It convenes stakeholders, consultants to strengthen efficiency, transparency and access to affordable medicines

By Maryam Umar 

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) has commenced preparations to transition from its conventional manual tendering system to electronic tendering, as part of efforts to modernise procurement operations and strengthen the state’s health commodity supply chain.

The development was announced at a One-Day Procurement Planning Meeting of Relevant Stakeholders with Consultants for the 2027 12th DMCSA Tender, organised by the Agency with support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders and consultants to review the existing tendering process and deliberate on the implementation of the new electronic system. A major highlight was a practical demonstration by the ICT Consultant on how to use the proposed e-tendering platform for bid submission, processing, evaluation and documentation.

Declaring the meeting open, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, said the transition to e-tendering was in line with international best practices and would improve efficiency, minimise errors and reduce the time required for procurement and bid evaluation.

“Digitising our procurement processes and operations has enormous advantages, including improving efficiency, minimising errors and saving time. With this new bidding process and evaluation, definitely, we are going to save a lot of time,” he said.

Pharm. Gali Sule noted that the initiative was part of the Agency’s broader efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain and sustain improvements in the availability and affordability of drugs across Kano State.

“We are working on this standard project to also add to these achievements so that every resident of Kano State can have access to qualitative and affordable medicines,” he added.

Earlier, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kano State Ministry of Health and Chairman, State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS-C), Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu, described the meeting as crucial to the success of the forthcoming tender exercise.

He said the 2027 tender would introduce a significant improvement over the manual process used by the Agency since 2012, noting that e-tendering would reduce time, cost and workload, particularly during bid evaluation, while improving documentation and efficiency.

Pharm. Kamilu commended the FCDO Lafiya Programme and other development partners for supporting efforts to strengthen the state’s procurement and health commodity supply systems.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed on key next steps, including hands-on training for relevant DMCSA staff on e-tendering, sensitisation of health commodity suppliers on the new process, and a tripartite meeting involving the ICT Consultant, Logistics Consultant and DMCSA officials.

The transition to e-tendering marks another step in DMCSA’s efforts to modernise its operations and build a more efficient, transparent and sustainable procurement system for improved access to quality and affordable medicines and medical consumables in Kano State.

Kano Assembly, Health Sector Leadership Brainstorm on Amended DMCSA Bill

By Frank Pinicop 

Members of the Kano State House of Assembly, alongside top officials of the State Ministry of Health and its agencies, have brainstormed on the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) Amendment Bill as part of a 3-Day Validation Workshop on the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board (KSPHCMB), DMCSA and Health Training Institutions Amendment Bills.

The key stakeholders converged at the workshop, currently taking place in Kaduna, to provide a structured platform for meaningful engagement and deliberations on the Bills currently before the Kano State House of Assembly. The workshop seeks, among other objectives, to promote a common understanding of the policy objectives underpinning each Bill, as well as identify ambiguities, inconsistencies, omissions and potential conflicts that may require further clarification or amendment.

Speaking during the opening session, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Isma'il Falgore, said the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has continued to accord priority to the health sector.

The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu-butu, stressed that members of the State House of Assembly are working tirelessly to discharge their legislative responsibilities and accelerate development across the State.

He assured the participants and the people of Kano State that the House of Assembly would continue to support the State Ministry of Health and other sectors through rigorous, strategic and responsive legislative interventions.

Rt. Hon. Falgore also commended development partners, including the UK Government’s FCDO-Lafiya Programme, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Sanitas Health and Development Foundation (SANHDEF), and other development partners, for their continued support to the State Government in various capacities.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the review of the Bills had become necessary because the existing establishing laws had become outdated in view of the evolving and dynamic nature of global health practices and the changing demands of the health sector.

On the Health Training Institutions Amendment Bills, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf explained that the review would strengthen the health sector by simplifying admission processes, increasing the number of students graduating from health training institutions, and enhancing the quality of education and training provided.

The Commissioner expressed appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to ensuring a thorough review and analysis of the Amendment Bills before their transmission to the State House of Assembly for further legislative scrutiny and eventual passage.

He also commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, and members of the Committee for their prompt response and commitment to thoroughly scrutinizing the Bills ahead of their consideration and passage.

Speaking on the exercise, the Director General of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule, emphasized the importance of reviewing and updating the Agency’s establishing law to ensure that its legal framework remains responsive to the evolving demands of healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical supply chain management in Kano State.

According to him, the review of the DMCSA Bill is aimed at strengthening the Agency’s legal and institutional framework, clarifying its mandate and responsibilities, and ensuring that its operations are aligned with current realities and best practices in the health sector.

He noted that the proposed amendments would further enhance the Agency’s capacity to effectively coordinate the procurement, storage, quality assurance, distribution and management of drugs and medical consumables across the State, while promoting greater efficiency, accountability, transparency and sustainability.

“Reviewing and updating the DMCSA law would provide a stronger foundation for institutional reforms, improved supply chain systems, effective collaboration with stakeholders, and better responsiveness to the pharmaceutical and medical consumables needs of public health facilities,” the DG stressed.

“The validation of the amended Bill is a critical step towards ensuring that the legislation reflects the current operational realities of DMCSA and provides the Agency with the appropriate legal backing to effectively deliver on its mandate,” he added.

PHARMACIST GALI SULE/ABBA GIDA-GIDA SUPPORT GROUP TA SHA ALWASHIN YIN AIKI TUKURU DON SAMUN NASARAR APC A ZABEN 2027

Daga Wakilinmu

Kungiyar Pharmacist Gali Sule/Abba Gida-Gida Support Group ta sha alwashin yin aiki ba dare ba rana domin ganin jam’iyyar APC ta samu gagarumar nasara a zabukan kasa na shekarar 2027.

Darakta Janar na Hukumar Samar da Magunguna da Kayan Aikin Asibiti ta Jihar Kano (DMCSA), Pharm. Gali Sule, ya bayyana haka ne a lokacin da ya jagoranci shugabannin kungiyar don kai wa Dan Majalisar Wakilai mai wakiltar Karamar Hukumar Nassarawa, Hon. Hassan Hussain, ziyara a ofishinsa.

Da yake jawabi, Pharm. Gali Sule, wanda shi ne uba kuma jagoran kungiyar, ya bayyana cewa sun kai ziyarar ne domin karfafa alaka da kuma tattauna hanyoyin da za a bi wajen yin aiki tare, domin tabbatar da hadin kai da nasarar jam’iyyar APC da daukacin ‘yan takararta a zaben 2027.

Ya ce wannan ya hada da kokarin ganin jam’iyyar ta samu nasara tun daga matakin Shugaban Kasa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu da mataimakinsa Alhaji Kashim Shetima, zuwa Gwamnan Jihar Kano, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf da mataimakinsa Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, da ‘yan majalisun dattawa, wakilai da na jiha baki daya.

Da yake nasa jawabin, Dan Majalisar Wakilai mai wakiltar Karamar Hukumar Nassarawa, Hon. Hassan Hussain, ya bayyana matukar farin cikinsa da wannan ziyara, yana mai yabawa Pharm. Gali Sule da shugabannin kungiyar bisa wannan muhimmiyar girmamawa da suka nuna masa.

Hon. Hassan Hussain ya kuma jinjina wa Pharm. Gali Sule bisa dimbin nasarorin da ya samu a Hukumar DMCSA cikin shekaru uku da suka gabata. Ya bayyana cewa irin jajircewa da sadaukarwar da Pharm. Gali Sule ke nunawa wajen gudanar da ayyukansa abin a yaba ne, yana mai cewa da irin wannan jajircewa ta yawaita a tsakanin masu rike da madafun iko, da an samu ci gaba mai yawa fiye da wanda aka samu a halin yanzu.

Ya tabbatar wa shugabannin kungiyar da cikakken goyon baya da hadin kai wajen kokarin tabbatar da nasarar jam’iyyar APC daga sama har kasa a zaben shekarar 2027.

Shi ma da yake tofa albarkacin bakinsa, Shugaban Kungiyar Pharmacist Gali Sule/Abba Gida-Gida Support Group, Alhaji Iliyasu Idris Dantiye, ya bayyana aniyar kungiyar ta yin aiki kafada-da-kafada da sauran kungiyoyin magoya baya domin tabbatar da nasarar jam’iyyar APC a Jihar Kano da kasa baki daya.

Alhaji Dantiye ya bayyana cewa kungiyar tana da mambobi daga kananan hukumomi 44 na Jihar Kano, wadanda suka hada da jajirtattun matasa maza da mata, da kuma gogaggun ma’aikata da suka yi ritaya. Ya kara da cewa kungiyar tana da rajista da jam’iyyar APC.

Daga karshe, Shugaban kungiyar ya gode wa Hon. Hassan Hussain bisa kyakkyawar tarbar da ya yi wa shugabannin kungiyar, tare da yaba masa bisa goyon baya da hadin kan da yake bai wa kungiyar.

Kano DMCSA, C4SD Hold Three-Day Capacity-Building Workshop for Warehouse and Unskilled Staff

By Margaret Titus 

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), in collaboration with Capacity 4 Sustainable Development (C4SD), has organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for her warehouse and other technical staff on “Strengthening Warehouse Operations, and Inventory Integrity.”

The workshop, which further included a one-day training for unskilled staff on ‘Roles, Responsibilities and Standard work ethics’, was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of warehouse personnel while strengthening operational efficiency, inventory management, accountability, and traceability across the Agency’s warehouse operations, as well as better knowledge of job roles.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, emphasised the importance of regular capacity-building programmes, noting that regulatory bodies consider continuous staff training and development as a core requirement when assessing Drug Management Agencies (DMAs) across the country.

He, therefore, urged the organisers and participants to ensure that the training was properly documented as evidence of the Agency’s commitment to continuous professional development and improved warehouse operations.

Pharm. Sule further charged participants to actively engage in the training and, more importantly, apply the knowledge and skills acquired to their daily responsibilities in order to improve efficiency and service delivery.

In her welcome address, the Director Admin and General Services, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Magashi, urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, participate actively in the sessions, and seek clarification whenever they encounter areas they need more clarification. She expressed appreciation to C4SD for their support and contribution towards strengthening the capacity of DMCSA work force.

Also speaking, the Director of Drugs and Supply, Pharm. Salisu Hashim Muhammad, affirmed the workshop would enhance visibility, strengthen service-delivery efficiency, promote accountability, and improve job satisfaction among warehouse personnel. He expressed delight and commended C4SD for the initiative, describing it as timely and will be impactful to DMCSA staff.

In his submission, the Kano State Lead of C4SD, Pharm. Amos, disclosed that the training was organised following a capacity gap needs assessment conducted for DMCSA staff. He explained that the findings of the assessment informed the development of the training modules, ensuring that the sessions addressed identified capacity gaps and operational needs.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Technical Adviser to DMCSA, Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of capacity-building workshops . Citing himself as an example, he noted that he had gained valuable knowledge from the day’s session, underscoring the practical benefits of the training to participants.

The first-day module focused on the Warehousing Domain, covering key areas such as Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Tracking, Inventory Management, and Batch Management and Traceability.

The sessions featured presentations and practical exercises, including “Introduction and Overview of Warehousing,” delivered by Pharm. Salisu Hashim Muhammad, and “KPI Tracking,” facilitated by Peter Albert and Olakunle Adekinya of the Kaizen Institute. The resource persons also conducted practical exercises to enable participants apply the concepts, techniques, and tools discussed during the sessions.

The second-day module, however, focused on Inventory Management, Batch Management and Traceability, Warehouse Hands-on Practical, and Endline Knowledge Assessment.

The third-day session was facilitated by Nasiru Muhammad of C4SD, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the roles, responsibilities, dos and don’ts of unskilled employees, including pickers, drivers, loaders, messengers and cleaners.

The three-day workshop concluded with action plan development and identifying key steps for the way forward, aimed at ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired are effectively translated into improved warehouse operations and inventory integrity.

DG DMCSA Receives ‘Icon of Humanitarian Service’ Award from Governor’s Girls College Kano New GSTC

By Margaret Titus 

The Governor’s Girls College Kano New Girls Science Technical College (GSTC) has honoured the Director General of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharm. Gali Sule, with an Award of Excellence as an “Icon of Humanitarian Service.”

The award was presented in recognition of his selfless service, immense contributions, humanitarian gestures in leadership, sagacity, and remarkable achievements, particularly his support towards promoting academic excellence and the development of the school.

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Science and Technical Schools Board (STSB), Prof. Dahiru Sale Mohammed, who was supported by the Principal of the college, Hajiya Sadikatu Abdullahi, presented the award to Pharm. Gali Sule during the Speeches and Prize Giving Day ceremony for the graduating SS3 students, held at the school's premises.

In his acceptance remarks, the Director General of DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule, expressed profound appreciation to the school management, teachers and students for the honour. He described the award as a source of encouragement and a reminder of the responsibility of public office holders to serve humanity with humility, compassion and dedication.

Pharm. Gali Sule said he was particularly touched by the recognition, adding that his support for the institution was driven by a genuine desire to contribute to the development of education and the wellbeing of young people. He assured the school of his continued commitment to supporting initiatives that promote academic excellence and create opportunities for students to thrive.

The Director General, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to DMCSA Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, dedicated the award to the staff of DMCSA, saying that the achievements recorded under his leadership were the result of collective effort and teamwork. He also reaffirmed his commitment to using his position and resources to contribute positively to society and support initiatives that have meaningful impact on the lives of people.

Speaking during the presentation, the ES STSB commended Pharm. Gali Sule for demonstrating that leadership goes beyond the confines of an office. He described the award as a modest expression of appreciation for the DG’s commitment to humanity, education and community development, noting that his interventions and support have made a positive impact on the lives of many people.

Prof. Mohammed said the Board was particularly pleased for the recognition of a leader who has consistently demonstrated compassion, responsibility and a strong sense of community. According to him, the recognition of Pharm. Gali Sule by the school as an “Icon of Humanitarian Service” reflects the values of selflessness and service to society which the Board and the school seek to promote among students.

The Principal of Governor’s Girls College Kano New GSTC, Hajiya Sadikatu Abdullahi, expressed appreciation to Pharm. Gali Sule for his continuous support and goodwill towards the school. She noted that as a neighbour to the DMCSA, the school has benefited from the DG’s cordial disposition, concern for the welfare of the students and willingness to support the institution whenever the need arises.

She described the Director General as a dependable friend of the school and a leader whose humanitarian disposition extends beyond his official responsibilities. According to her, his continued support has strengthened the relationship between the school and the Agency, while his gestures have contributed to creating a more conducive environment for learning and academic excellence.

The event concluded with the formal presentation of the Award of Excellence to Pharm. Gali Sule, further strengthening the cordial relationship between the DMCSA and Governor’s Girls College Kano New GSTC.

DG DMCSA Calls for Stronger Partnership Among Pharmacists as He Receives NAIP Kano Executives

By Shade Florence 

The Director General of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharm. Gali Sule, has received the newly elected Executive Members of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Kano State Chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office.

Welcoming the delegation, Pharm. Gali Sule congratulated the new executives on their election and wished them a successful and impactful tenure in office.

The Director General described NAIP as an important ally of the Agency, noting that stronger collaboration between both institutions would contribute significantly to strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain and improving the availability of quality medicines in health facilities across Kano State.

He urged the association to deepen its engagement with DMCSA, stressing that greater cooperation among pharmacists and other stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector would foster unity, professional growth and improved healthcare service delivery.

Speaking on the operations and achievements of the Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule disclosed that DMCSA has been accredited by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) as an Internship Training Centre.

According to him, the accreditation further demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to professional development and capacity building within the pharmacy sector, while providing opportunities for young pharmacists to gain practical experience in pharmaceutical supply chain management.

The DG commended the NAIP Kano State Chapter for its contributions to advancing the pharmacy profession and expressed optimism that the new leadership would build on the achievements of its predecessors.

Earlier, the Chairman of NAIP Kano State Chapter, Pharm. Gershom Dashe, said the delegation was at the DG’s office to formally introduce the newly elected executive members of the association and strengthen their relationship with DMCSA.

Pharm. Dashe appreciated the Director General for receiving the delegation and expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with DMCSA and other relevant stakeholders towards advancing the pharmacy profession and healthcare delivery in the state.

He further disclosed that the association was planning to organise an annual football tournament involving pharmacy stakeholders, aimed at promoting unity, interaction and stronger professional relationships among pharmacists and other stakeholders in the sector.