Here’s a rewritten and expanded version of the article:Kano State Government to Decentralize and Expand Community Management of Acute Malnutrition Programs
The Kano State Government (KNSG) has announced plans to decentralize and expand community management of acute malnutrition programs across all 22 local government areas. This initiative was revealed by Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf during the launch of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week at Unguwa Uku Primary Healthcare Center in Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano.
The governor emphasized that this intervention is part of a broader strategy to enhance healthcare service delivery, including the establishment of strategic therapeutic centers and the provision of affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services. The MNCH Week aims to improve health outcomes, with a focus on preventive and curative interventions that enable women and children to thrive through the existing healthcare system.
Governor Abba highlighted the state government’s commitment to nutrition promotion programs, polio eradication, and routine immunization, demonstrated through the release of necessary resources. He also stressed the government’s dedication to reducing maternal and child mortality rates and controlling preventable diseases like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Additionally, the administration aims to establish functional Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across all 484 wards in the state.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the Kano State Commissioner of Health, explained that the 2024 MNCH Week targets over 3 million children, who will receive vitamin A supplements, deworming drugs, childhood immunization, and free antenatal services for pregnant women. Other services include birth registration with the National Population Commission.
The state government has made significant strides in improving and sustaining routine immunization, ensuring a 95% availability of medical items and consumables. The Kano State Healthcare Scheme has also been made affordable for both formal and informal sectors.Caregivers Hauwa’u Mukhtar, Shafa’atu Mahmud, and Zulaiha Abubakar praised the state government for providing necessary vaccines and commended the dedication of PHC staff. The event was attended by top government dignitaries, traditional leaders, and development partners, including UNICEF, WHO, MSF, BMGF, and Nutrition International.
