Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has inaugurated a comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre and a new office complex for the State Centre for Disease Control, alongside distributing 300 blood pressure monitors and free maternal health commodities in a sweeping healthcare intervention.
Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano on Monday, Governor Yusuf announced that the Sickle Cell Centre would provide free diagnosis, counselling, treatment, follow-up care, patient education, health promotion, and specialised management of sickle cell disease—all under one roof.
“We are committed to ensuring that patients receive the medicines and support they need to improve their wellbeing,” the governor stated.
Disease Control Centre to Strengthen Emergency Response
The governor also commissioned the newly constructed office complex of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the state’s disease surveillance and emergency response system. The facility will enhance capacity to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to epidemic-prone diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and meningitis.
“In the name of Allah, today, Monday, August 3, 2026, I am delighted to commission this centre, and it is my prayer that it will be judiciously utilised for the benefit of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf said.
The governor commended development partners for their contributions to the establishment of the centre.
Blood Pressure Monitors to Combat Hypertension
In response to growing concerns over sudden deaths linked to hypertension among public officials, Yusuf flagged off the distribution of 300 customised digital blood pressure monitors to public servants and political appointees.
“We procured these digital blood pressure monitors to encourage regular health checks among public servants and political appointees. Early detection and proper monitoring will help prevent avoidable deaths associated with hypertension,” he explained.
The governor also opened the symbolic distribution of free maternal and Accident and Emergency commodities, as well as new hospital bed sheets, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustaining the programme which he said had already saved thousands of lives across the state.
Health Sector Transformation Under Abba Gida-Gida Administration
Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Yusuf, noted that the administration had made significant investments in the health sector since assuming office. He revealed that maternal mortality had dropped dramatically from over 1,300 recorded cases in 2023 to about 300 in 2026.
“Our healthcare facilities have witnessed remarkable improvements under this administration,” the commissioner said.
Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr Mansur Nagoda, described the governor’s intervention as a major boost to healthcare delivery in Kano, stating that the “Abba Gida-Gida administration has transformed the health sector to an unprecedented level through sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and essential services.”
The inauguration forms part of the Kano State Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services through improved access to specialised treatment, disease surveillance, maternal healthcare, and preventive medical interventions.
