Kano State Holds Onboarding for Oversight Committee on BHCPF 2.0

By Rukayya Nadabo 

The Kano State Ministry of Health with support from UK-FCDO Lafiya Programme convened a 2-day onboarding programme for members of the Kano State Oversight Committee on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in the health sector.

The onboarding, which was commenced on Saturday at Bafra International Hotel Kaduna, brought together key stakeholders from government Ministries Department and Agencies including Kano State Minstry of Health, Kano State PHCMB, KSCHMA, the representatives of ALGON, the Minstries of Finance, Planning and Budget, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and National Health Insurance Authority. Other stakeholders are civil society organizations, development partners, and relevant agencies involved in the implementation and oversight of BHCPF 2.0 in the state. The programme was designed to equip committee members with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities under the revised BHCPF framework.

The meeting aims to strengthen governance, accountability, and transparency in the management and use of BHCPF 2.0 fund, and to ensure effective oversight adherence to national guidelines, and coordinated implementation of BHCPF 2.0 at the state level.

In addition, the workshop tries to build the committee's capacity to monitor performance, protect resources, and enhance equitable access to quality primary health care services.

Declaring the meeting opened, the Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf explained that BHCPF 2.0 represents a renewed national and state-level effort to improve access to quality primary health care services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. He highlighted the critical role of the Oversight Committee in ensuring prudent utilization of funds, compliance with guidelines, and measurable impact at the facility and community levels.

Welcoming the participants, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Pharm. Aminu Bashir reiterated the resolve of Kano State Government to support the Oversight Committee and all implementing agencies, stressing that transparency, accountability, and citizen-focused service delivery remain central to the successful implementation of BHCPF 2.0.

In their goodwill messages, the gateways of NPHCDA, NHIA & Development Partners and CSO, including the UK-FCDO Lafiya & KanSLAM, restated their collective commitment to partner with Kano Government to facilitate efficient implementation of the BHCPF 2.0

across the state.

During the onboarding sessions, participants received in-depth briefings on the BHCPF 2.0 policy framework, fund flow mechanisms, governance structures, monitoring and evaluation processes, and reporting requirements. Interactive discussions and practical sessions were also held to address implementation challenges, risk mitigation, and strategies for effective oversight.

Members of the Oversight Committee expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health for the capacity-building initiative, noting that the onboarding enhanced their understanding of BHCPF 2.0 and strengthened their readiness to provide informed, independent, and constructive oversight. They reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with state and local stakeholders to ensure that BHCPF resources translate into improved health outcomes for the people of Kano State.

The 2-day onboarding marks a significant milestone in Kano State’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary health care systems and advance universal health coverage.

Kano Health Ministry Organizes 3-Day Workshop on Review of Essential Medicine List

By Rukayya Nadabo 

The Kano State Ministry of Health, through the State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS-C), has on Saturday commenced a three-day workshop to review Kano State Essential Medicine List (EML) Review.

The event, which was organized with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, brings together key stakeholders from across the health sector, including, clinicians, pharmacists, public health experts, regulatory agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations.

The objective of the meeting, which is taking place at the Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna, is to review and update the Kano State Essential Medicine List to ensure it aligns with current disease burden, treatment guidelines, and global best practices, while responding to the specific health needs of the people of the state.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf highlighted that access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines remains a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare delivery system. He noted that the review of the Essential Medicine List is critical to strengthening rational medicine use, improving procurement efficiency, and enhancing service delivery across all levels of care.

“The review process will ensure that Kano State’s Essential Medicine List remains evidence-based, cost-effective, and responsive to emerging health challenges, including non-communicable diseases and public health emergencies,” the Commissioner stated.

Dr. Labaran urged the participants to carefully review the essential medicine list with a view to contribute their quota in transforming the health sector in the state. He further expressed appreciation to the FCDO Lafiya Programme and all stakeholders for their collaboration and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the people of Kano State.

In his submission, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Pharm. Aminu Bashir, who spoke extensively on resilience of supply chain management in Kano State, noted the review of essential medicine list is a first step in the supply chain journey.

The Permanent Secretary also spoke in details on how the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) was revived form an inherited moribund status and huge indebtedness, and how the leadership of the Agency, headed by the Director General Pharm. Gali Sule, recorded tremendous achievements.

In his welcome address, the Director Pharmaceutical Services at the State Ministry of Health Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu said the meeting is a concerted effort by the ministry to review the essential medicine list. 

Describing the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as a proactive, Pharm. Salisu, who is also the Chairman of SSHCSS-C, disclosed that it is mandatory for all states of the federation to review their EML whenever the Federal Ministry of Health did so, hence the reason why the Kano State organized the meeting.

He expressed optimism that the EML will be thoroughly evaluated and reviewed due to the composition and expertise of the participants.

In their separate goodwill messages, the State Team Leads of UK-FCDO Lafiya Programme Abdulkadir Salisu Kabara and his counterpart of Capacity for Sustainable Development (C4SD) Pharm. Amos Gwazalyen, as well as representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Kano State in strengthening health systems, particularly in areas of governance, financing, and access to essential health commodities. They emphasized that an updated Essential Medicine List will support improved planning, budgeting, and availability of life-saving medicines in public health facilities.

Over the three days, participants will review existing medicines, assess new therapeutic options, consider national and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and agree on priority medicines for inclusion. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to guide procurement, distribution, and rational use of medicines across Kano State health facilities.

Nagoda, Gali Sule Team Up to Advance Gov Yusuf’s Health Sector Reforms

By Samira Suleiman

The Director General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharm. Ghali Sule, today paid an official working visit to the Executive Secretary, Kano State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagode, as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

The high level engagement focused on deepening collaboration and charting a unified pathway for improved service delivery within all government health facilities. Key issues deliberated upon included the enhancement of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme, sustained availability of essential medicines, and ensuring consistent free maternity and Accident & Emergency (A&E) commodities across secondary health facilities.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger synergy between DMCSA and HMB, emphasizing that effective coordination between supply systems and hospital management structures is critical to achieving Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s vision for a reliable, transparent, and patient centered healthcare system.

During the meeting, the DG commended the HMB for its renewed focus on accountability, efficiency, and staff motivation, noting that the Board remains a strategic partner in ensuring that medicines and consumables reach patients on time and in full. The Executive Secretary equally applauded the DMCSA’s recent reforms, improved warehousing processes, procurement transparency, and timely distribution framework.

As part of the preparations for this year’s Kano State Hospitals Management Board Annual Awards, it was agreed that one of the major performance indicators will be the efficiency of the DRF system at facility level, especially the performance of Zonal Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) in managing stock, ensuring zero stock out, and promoting financial sustainability.

The visit further highlighted forthcoming joint initiatives, including Strengthening digital reporting and monitoring systems for facility level DRF performance Expanding last mile distribution to ensure even the most remote hospitals receive adequate supplies, Strengthening accountability frameworks to reduce wastage and stock leakages, Enhancing training for pharmacists, store officers, and facility managers as well as Improving the speed and transparency of emergency replenishments

Both agencies reiterated their dedication to building a seamless drug supply chain that guarantees safety, quality, and affordability for all citizens, particularly mothers and children who depend on free lifesaving commodities.

The meeting ended with a renewed pledge to work hand in hand in advancing the health sector’s transformation journey delivering a Kano where every hospital is functional, every patient is attended to, and essential medicines are always available when needed.