Kwankwaso Flags-Off Distribution of Medical Equipment
Kano state government on Thursday flagged-off the 4th phase of DFID-PATHS 2 supported distribution of medical equipment and consumables to healthcare facilities and launched another programme for control of neglected tropical diseases and distribution of related drugs to 18 endemic local government areas of the state.
Launching the programme at the Government House Lawn in Kano, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, represented by his deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, explained that the medical equipment and consumables programme, would be sustained through the state Drug Revolving Fund.
He explained that besides the DFID support, the state government is distributing equipment worth about N929 million to health facilities, while plans are in the offing to distribute drugs worth N1.2 billion with a view to getting rid of counterfeit and drugs circulation in the state.
“Our commitment towards improving the efficiency and quality of our healthcare delivery system is a continuing process”, Kwankwaso asserted, adding that adequate attention is also given to the renovation of existing hospitals and establishment of new health institutions in the state.
Turning to the control of neglected tropical diseases, the governor explained that his administration is geared towards curbing vector borne diseases, disclosing that the government is distributing millions of free doses of vital antibiotics for the treatment of River Blindness, Elephantiasis and Trachoma, in 18 local government areas of the state.
Earlier, Dr. Abubakar Izge, who represented DFID on the occasion, explained that the equipment provided by his organization will be distributed to 410 primary and secondary health facilities, with a view to addressing the problems of high mortality, infant mortality rate and high incidence of preventable diseases in the state.
In another development, Governor Kwankwaso, represented by his deputy, Dr. Ganduje launched another two distinct programmes: the Kano Teachers Support Programme and Islamiyyya, Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education programme, which are intended, each in their own way, to improve proficiency of teachers in public primary schools and to mainstream the Almajiri education scheme into the formal education system.
The two programmes, which will gulp millions of Naira, are being supported under a tripartite arrangement by the Universal Basic Education Commission, the state government and ESSPIN, a DFID funded project.
