The Kano State government has raised the alarm over ongoing theft in its free drugs programme, accusing some health workers and beneficiaries of colluding to steal medications meant for vulnerable patients.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI).
Dr. Yusuf stated that the theft menace has become a significant obstacle to the success of the programme, which was designed to provide essential drugs to the less-privileged at no cost.
“It is a very serious issue that is hindering the progress of the free drugs programme in Kano. Health workers and beneficiaries are colluding to steal the drugs, which denies access to those who genuinely need them,” he lamented.
To tackle the problem, the state government was implementing electronic records and utilisation registers to improve transparency and accountability. “Every individual who receives these services will have their name, address, and phone number documented, allowing us to cross-check records and ensure that services reach the right people,” Dr. Yusuf stated.
The commissioner also expressed concerns over low attendance rates for antenatal and postnatal care among women in Kano State, particularly in rural areas.
“The implication of women not coming for antenatal care and for delivery is untimely death because if you do not access humans in pregnancy, you cannot plan for delivery and unplanned deliveries are usually the ones that come with complications and issues which mostly occur in remote areas where transportation itself is an issue.”
He added that the government has completed a year-long study in local communities, collecting data on maternal mortality rates to guide future interventions.
He also revealed that the Kano State government has begun renovating health facilities and hiring more health workers to make the centers more conducive for care and safe deliveries for pregnant women.
