Kano Ministry of Health Takes Over Diphtheria Management After NGOs’ Exit
By Mustaph Salisu
The Kano State Ministry of Health has fully assumed responsibility for managing diphtheria cases across the state following the exit of international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that had been assisting since November 2022.
The handover occurred on March 31, 2024, marking the end of a 17-month period during which NGOs, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), played a critical role in combating the disease.
Samira Suleiman, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Hospitals Management Board disclosed this in a statement that was made available to newsmen.
During their tenure, these NGOs provided significant support, including financial allowances to Ministry of Health staff, incentives to volunteers, and a steady supply of drugs and medical consumables. They also coordinated the overall management of diphtheria cases, helping to stabilize the situation in Kano.
As part of their exit, MSF donated a substantial quantity of commodities to ensure the continuity of the program. Following this handover, the Kano State Ministry of Health has committed hundreds of millions of naira to sustain diphtheria management.
The Ministry also employed 15 doctors from the pool of volunteers and redeployed other staff members who had previously been incentivized by MSF to the diphtheria unit.
To further strengthen the response, the Ministry of Health, along with the Hospitals Management Board (HMB), procured and distributed drugs and consumables worth millions of naira to various diphtheria centers.
In light of the significant reduction in diphtheria cases, the Honorable Commissioner of Health, in collaboration with key stakeholders, chaired a meeting on July 1, 2024, to decentralize diphtheria management across the state.
The decentralization resulted in the establishment of 20 new diphtheria centers within 13 zones across Kano’s 44 local government areas.
The zones include Bichi, Gaya, Gwarzo, Tudun Wada, Rano, Danbatta, Wudil, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, Imam Wali, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital (Asibitin Kuroda), Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (Asibitin Nasarawa), Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, which was previously the sole treatment center before decentralization.
In addition to these efforts, the feeding of diphtheria patients and their relatives continues unabated, and staff allowances were paid for three months following the NGOs’ exit. The Ministry has also established a daily reporting platform for diphtheria cases, allowing for timely updates and urgent interventions when necessary.
Despite these measures, challenges remain. The Ministry has noted that some staff are less motivated to perform at their best due to the cessation of the allowances provided by the NGOs, even though they are now employed by the state government.
However, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has emphasized his full commitment to eradicating diphtheria in the state and has tasked the health sector with achieving zero cases.
Vaccination efforts are ongoing, and the Ministry assures the public that treatment for diphtheria is free, with drugs available at the Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA).
The latest data reveals that fewer than 30 diphtheria-related deaths were recorded in Kano State in August 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of the state’s ongoing efforts.
