Kano Govt Develops Multi-Hazard Risk Communication Plan to Boost Public Health Preparedness

The Kano State Government has taken a major step toward strengthening public health preparedness with the successful development of a Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral Risk Communication and Community Engagement Plan.

The plan was produced during a three-day workshop organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) in collaboration with the FCDO-Lafiya Programme. The workshop ran from November 11 to 13, 2025, at R&K Hotel in Zaria.

Participants drawn from the Kano State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Management Board (SPHCMB), media organisations, and development partners jointly developed frameworks and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve coordinated and transparent communication during public health emergencies.

According to the organisers, the initiative aligns with the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to build a resilient health system capable of responding effectively to emerging public health threats. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, and the Director General of KNCDC, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, were also credited for driving the project and prioritising proactive public health measures.

The plan will rely heavily on media professionals, religious and traditional leaders, and community-based organisations to enhance community engagement, strengthen trust, and ensure accurate information flows during health emergencies.

Officials say the development marks another significant achievement for the state as it positions itself as a model for epidemic preparedness and risk communication in Nigeria.