Gov Yusuf Pledges To Eradicate Polio, Crash Maternal Mortality In Kano

Kano State Governor, Eng Abba Yusuf has reiterated the determination and commitment of his administration towards eradicating Polio by June 2025 and reducing the high rate of maternal mortality in the state.

The Governor who lamented the impact of the health challenges on the people of Kano State, said his administration will not leave any stone unturned at addressing them holistically.

Governor Yusuf made this known while declaring open an interactive meeting with the 44 local government chairmen and traditional rulers on sustaining the gains for polio eradication, routine immunisation and other Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Kano State, held in Kaduna over the weekend.

Represented by the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Governor said that the presence of government officials, members of the state House of Assembly and and Kano Emirate underscores the seriousness and commitment attached to eradicating polio as well as tackling the menace of maternal mortality.

The Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Chairman of the State Immunization Committee earlier in his own address, called on the health personnel, local government officials as well as traditional rulers to monitor the immunization exercise in their domains with all seriousness it deserves.

He challenged the health workers to be ready to work and dedicate their time towards ensuring that eradication of polio and reducing maternal mortality remain tasks that must be accomplished.

“Any health worker who is not committed will be replaced without delay with a more serious and committed staff,” he cautioned.

He stressed further that the state government under the leadership of Governor Yusuf is determined to make the state free of polio by June 2025, and we will join the campaign in making the disease free at the end of the year.

Earlier, the United Nation’s Children Funds’ (UNICEF) Kano State representative, Mr Rahma Rahood Muhammad disclosed that there has been a steady increase in the number of polio cases in the state between 2022 to 2025 while noting that,” Children of Kano State are still falling prey to polio virus with many yet to receive any routine vaccines.

“Vaccines are one of the most effective and cost-saving public intervention in the history. Yet nearly 250,000 children in Kano State are zero dosed (yet to collect vaccine).”

According to her, 6 polio virus cases were reported in the state in 2022; 27 in 2023 while 29 cases were reported in 2024, noting that this is almost 5 times increase since 2020.

Also, Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said the method of Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMRII) introduced by the Federal Government is equally driving the Kano State government.

“We got the message about MAMRII from Federal Government and it reminds us of how much work we have to do in order to sustain the momentum.

“Kano State is aware Nigeria wants to crash maternal mortality by 30% in the next 3 years and the State Government also wants to make sure that Kano will crash the number by 30% as well, if not more.”

Similarly, the Executive Secretary, Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mansur Nagoda reiterated the government’s effort in curtailing the rate of maternal death to its minimal in the state.

He stressed that crushing maternal and neonatal mortality is topmost on the agenda of the government of Kano State.

Nagoda emphasised the importance of giving absolute priori as the Federal Government have also launched the MAMRII project to address Nigeria’s troubling maternal and neonatal mortality rate.

He said the state government has since launched free maternity project for all expecting mothers including free caesarian section with free delivery and free delivery kits distributed on monthly basis to state-owned facilities.

“We are going to create more awareness by doing a campaign which will extend to the rural communities to let the know the importance of going to the hospital and also to know that the services are free. We will make sure that items needed for the services are always readily available in our facilities,” he assured.