By Mustapha Salisu
The Nigeria Cancer Society, in collaboration with its partners YOSPIS, AMMKAS, AHBN, AMG, and CHR on Tuesday paid a structured advocacy visit to the Director-General of the Kano State Hospital Management Board to discuss critical issues affecting healthcare service delivery in the state.
PRIME TIME NEWS gathered that the visit focused on three key areas: deployment of health personnel to the VVF Center, Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) participation in the free maternity drugs distribution, and cancer sensitization activities in health facilities.
During the engagement, the Chairman of NCS Kano State Chapter, Mallam Salisu Yusuf, emphasized the need to post trained personnel to the VVF clinic to strengthen operations and enhance service delivery.
The team also called for CSOs to be included in the free maternity drugs distribution process to promote transparency and accountability ensuring mothers have better access to essential drugs while reducing maternal and infant mortality.
They further sought approval for cancer awareness and sensitization programs at secondary health facilities to enhance prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Responding, the Executive Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, appreciated the team for the advocacy visit and commended their commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Kano State.
He explained that the deployment of health personnel to the Kwalli VVF Clinic falls under the mandate of the Kano State Ministry of Women’s Affairs, which must formally request such deployment from the Kano State Ministry of Health.
On the issue of free maternity drugs distribution, the ES directed the team to exchange contact details with the Board’s Public Relations Officer for inclusion in future engagements.
Regarding cancer sensitization, he advised the advocates to also liaise with the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, which currently implements HPV-related interventions across primary health centers and communities.
The visit concluded with the presentation of scorecards to the Executive Secretary as part of the team’s ongoing effort to strengthen health accountability and advocacy in the state.
